2nd ODI: Shai Hope Urges West Indies Bowlers to Improve After Record 405 Goes in Vain

The West Indies posted their highest-ever ODI total of 405/7, with centuries from Amir Jangoo (114), Hope (104) and John Campbell (101). However, their massive score was overshadowed by an extraordinary Indian chase, with Shubman Gill smashing an unbeaten 223 and Rohit Sharma scoring 101 as India completed an eight-wicket victory with 39 balls remaining.

Hope said the West Indies' batting consistency was a major positive, but admitted that their bowling left them with too little room for error against India's formidable batting order.

"There were a lot of positives I can take from it, to be honest. I mean, you look at the batting side of things, we as a batting group, we've been putting up a lot of consistent competitive totals. So that's one tick that you can put.

"But obviously, when you come up against some of the greatest batters in the world, the margin for error is so slim, and it's going to be very difficult if you're going to give them a start like that. So still have to give credit where it's due.

"I think they played really well, but if we really want to be critical, probably could have been a little bit tighter with the ball and gave ourselves a better chance with 400 on the board," Hope said after the match.

The West Indies had struggled to convert strong starts in the series opener, but Hope was pleased with the way the batting unit approached the second ODI. He said the team had deliberately focused on keeping wickets in hand before accelerating towards the end of the innings.

"I thought we laid a foundation really well. It's something that we spoke about over the last couple of days, just about making sure we have some wickets in hand going into the back end of the innings.

"We were in on the side that their spinners are the main threat when it comes to these conditions. So, we were just about laying that foundation and then finding ways to continue and get that impetus going in the back end," the West Indies skipper said.

Hope also explained the decision to hold back young leg-spinner Vitel Lawes during India's aggressive chase. The captain said the timing was influenced by the match situation as well as the need to ease the debutant into difficult conditions on his first visit to India.

"A bit of both. Situation-based. You don't really want to give him the hardest over to bowl, especially coming to India for the first time. But it's not saying I don't expect him to come and do a great job. It's just that you want to make him feel as comfortable as possible, especially when he's coming to play in these conditions.

"He's very young, but it's great to see that he came up and raised his hand. He bowled a really good spell, obviously a lot to learn, but I'm sure he's going to keep going strong," Hope said.