Shai Hope's Shift to No.4 Sparks ODI Dominance
The West Indies captain has thrived since moving to the middle order, averaging over 57 with a strike rate above 95.
Shai Hope has been a model of consistency in ODIs, with his recent innings of 87 against New Zealand in Guyana underscoring his value. The West Indies skipper has evolved from a prolific opener into an elite No.4 batter, adapting seamlessly to the middle order.
Since the start of 2025, Hope has amassed 813 runs in 17 innings at an average of 62.53 and a strike rate of 97.24, including six half-centuries and two tons. Among full-member batters with at least 15 innings in this period, only Virat Kohli and Joe Root have higher averages—both batting in the top three, while Hope operates at No.4.
His success extends across conditions, with standout performances in New Zealand (averaging 81) and at home (averaging 116.66). After opening in his early career with 2,612 runs at 60.74, Hope shifted to the middle order in 2023 and has maintained an average of 57.29 with a strike rate of 95.07 in 46 innings, proving his adaptability.