West Indies Find New Great After Viv Richards as Modern Star Joins Elite Club

The ongoing bilateral series between New Zealand and the West Indies is making waves in international cricket, and amongst them is the new record for the Caribbean player. As the two sides are set for another ODI match, the dynamic wicketkeeper-batsman Shai Hope is making a name for himself in the region by delivering in all formats.

Hope is climbing rams and has delivered consistently over the course of his career. With the calm and consistent innings on the crease, he is set to place himself in the list of modern greats. His latest feat has put him in the list of rare milestones, becoming the second person after Sir Viv Richards. So, with the key record in making, let’s unfold what new record has been created by Shai Hope.

Shai Hope Record: WI Captain Equals Viv Richards

During the NZ vs WI ODI series, Shai Hope entered the series with a record for becoming the fastest Caribbean player to score 6000 runs, and he will put him next to Viv Richards, another great with 6,721 runs in 187 matches at an average of 47 and a strike rate of 90.20. Shai Hope ODI record has now put him in the elite list with 6039 ODI runs from 147 matches and 142 innings.

Averaging 49.91 with a strike rate of 79.30, he has earlier scored his career best of 170 and now has placed himself next to one of the greats of the region. Shai Hope Viv Richards' record now stands as a direct comparison of the two greats of the game. Richards is regarded as a GOAT of cricket and took his team to memorable wins during his playing days.

Hope didn't stop here and went on to play one of the most memorable knocks of his career during the second ODI between New Zealand and West Indies. The skipper smashed 109 off just 69 balls and took his team out of trouble. During this knock, he showed why he is among the best ODI batsmen of all time.
Adding to this is Hope’s recent form in T20Is. While playing against Australia, he became the first wicket-keeper captain in the world to score a T20I century, where he smashed 176 runs in a bilateral series. With this Shai Hope Record, he has become the second West Indies player, after Chris Gayle, to score a century in all formats of the game.

West Indies Aiming to Fight Back

The ongoing bilateral NZ vs WI 2025 tour is tightly contested. In the first leg of this tour, New Zealand finished the T20I series with dominance and 3-1 after and nearly of close contests. After the dominance in the ODI leg, NZ entered the series with confidence, while the Indies with hopes to bounce back.

In the last NZ vs WI ODI match, New Zealand won the match by 7 runs, while the second ODI started with hopes, but then, with rain in effect, it was reduced to 34 overs per side, adding pressure on both teams. As the series moves toward its end, Shai Hope will remain a key figure to watch out for.