When Shai Hope returns to the West Indian Test dressing room for the first time in three and a half years, he says it’s “like a breath of fresh air” to Cricbuzz. The fashionable Bajan right-hander last wore the whites in Galle in December 2021. He is one of just three players left in the current Test team. Three Bajans, including left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican, new captain Roston Chase, and the timeless Kraigg Brathwaite.
After losing his spot in the team once previously, the elegant hitter decided to take a sabbatical from the format, and this would be his final Test for some time. His primary goal was to concentrate on other formats, which he has done quite successfully. He is still among the best ODI hitters of this age, but he has also developed into a highly regarded T20 hitter, to the point where he is now leading the West Indies as captain in the shortest international format.
It appeared as though the West Indies had found the next superstar to build their future around when Shai Hope struck hundreds in each innings during a historic victory at Headingley almost eight years ago. His average peaked at 35 at that point, but it rapidly declined, landing him in the mid-20s by the time he played his final match against Sri Lanka. And now, for the first time in Test cricket, he returns to the mix to bat at number six and take wickets. He closes it down when you ask him about Leeds’ glory, saying he doesn’t want to discuss the past.
“To be honest, I don’t want to hold onto any grudges. Consider this a new chapter in your life. Indeed, you will carry with you lessons learnt from the past as well as things you always wish to carry with you into the future. New head coach, new captain, new campaign, new cycle.
The reserved 31-year-old told Cricbuzz, “Let’s just start from a fresh page and let’s Shai Hope we can start this one in flying colours.”
It would be an understatement to say that adding Hope back into the Test mix is motivated more by potential than by performance. After all, he has only participated in four first-class matches since his last Test match, which took place between late 2021 and mid-2025. Two of those appearances were for Yorkshire in the 2023 County Championship, where he scored two half-centuries. His final one for Barbados was in March of this year, when he returned scores of 16 and 20 while also taking wickets.
“Regardless of the game’s format, I still think cricket is cricket. The game has various components that you must adjust and evaluate. As I constantly say, the T20 format presents a distinct challenge than both ODIs and Tests. Therefore, it comes down to accepting and comprehending the necessary modifications. playing against the Australians in particular. They’re an excellent team, and I’m excited about them. Nothing compares to playing against one of the world’s top teams for the first time back. Shai Hope, who for the record averages an incredible 49.32 in 139 ODIs, says, “And that too in front of me home fans here at the Kensington Oval, where I also made my debut ten years ago.”
There is precedent for Shai Hope concentrating on a certain format for which he was not considered suitable or skilled enough, only to begin to dominate it. similar to how he handled T20 cricket. He was viewed for years as lacking the skill sets and tempo necessary to be successful in the shortest format, particularly given the way West Indian T20I sides have conducted themselves. As the team’s captain, Hope has now established himself as a vital part of the two-time T20 World Cup winning squad. He just finished another IPL season, during which he is now much sought after. Even though he hasn’t played Test cricket for years, he thinks he can do it again.
“I’m simply one of those people that always feels like I can accomplish anything if I set my mind to it. I think I’m returning, but I’m not sure what to anticipate, so it’s not implausible. I will always support myself. Support my abilities. Have confidence in my abilities. I’ve already done it. Additionally, there is some solace in knowing that you have succeeded and accomplished something in the format. Cricket is all about the mental side of things, so it’s just about trying to get that mojo and vibe,” he says.
“All I want is to relish the procedures, the practice sessions, the obstacles in the nets, and to welcome both the good and the bad moments. I will not gaze too far into the future. “Just have fun playing Test cricket once more and help the guys win and score runs,” he continues.
Shai Hope decision to return to Test cricket, albeit in a slightly different role than his former one, is also part of a larger picture. He is no longer this team’s best batter. However, seeing someone of Hope’s overall calibre embrace the traditional format is a great example for others to follow at a time when so many young players in the Caribbean, especially batters, are influenced by the wealth and appeal of T20 league cricket. He also recognises the benefit of that.
“Certainly. Yes, it is the ultimate form of cricket. As a nation, we take great pride in the West Indies. Something we always emphasise. The game of cricket unites the whole area. And that has to do with my return to this squad as well. Since I haven’t played in a long time, it seems almost like a breath of fresh air is coming out when we get back together,” he says.
“The shorter formats of Test cricket are causing a lot of distraction for the younger generation. Therefore, it’s critical that we continue to emphasise to them the value of playing the longer format. You do get a different sense of difficulty and skill from it. It is known as the “big test” for this reason. Additionally, it translates and transmits the skills into shorter formats.
The other task is to attract new Test cricket fans and revive the sport’s passion in the area after many generations had grown disinterested due to the team’s lack of success. Hope is well aware of the impact that Test victories have on the people of the Caribbean islands where cricket is played.
“The people of the Caribbean are quite proud. Everyone is content as long as we’re doing well. We can rekindle the excitement that people have for West Indies cricket, which is evident in the streets where they talk about legendary players like Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Brian Lara, as well as Marshall’s bouncers and Lara’s cover drives. People’s days and weeks are made more memorable by it. That is what I am eager to accomplish,” he states.
The final Test match between the West Indies and Australia, which took place at the Gabba in February of last year and saw one of their most well-known victories of the twenty-first century, serves as the best example of that. Hope recalls exactly where he was in Brisbane when Shamar Joseph memorably bowled out Australia, and how it lifted the morale of both current and former West Indians.
“I was in Bangladesh, completing the BPL.” I observed a few of the results. and pondering whether we could succeed. I was on the aircraft, about to embark. I thought, “Wow, we really did pull this one off,” when I saw the scores. For the younger generation, it serves as a major source of motivation. to appear out of nowhere and discover his potential. Though he still has a lot to learn, he is a very talented bowler who has the potential to significantly influence West Indies cricket, he admits.
And that’s what we’re trying to instill in all of the West Indian fans, including cricket lovers, to see some of those game icons cry and witness that happiness being returned to the area. For those from other countries, a strong West Indies is the most important item on everyone’s mind. becoming their world’s second-favorite team. I’m confident that world cricket will be delighted as long as we’re performing well.”
India
