Former Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) cricketer Shreevats Goswami has praised West Indies captain Shai Hope for his outstanding performances on the ongoing tour of India. Goswami believes Hope’s influence on West Indies cricket in white-ball formats is comparable to Virat Kohli’s impact on the Indian team.

Hope has been in sensational form during the ongoing T20I series, emerging as the leading run-scorer with 261 runs at an average of 130.50 and a strike rate exceeding 190. The West Indies skipper has smashed two centuries, playing a crucial role in his team’s two victories as the five-match series remains level at 2-2.

Speaking on the Beyond23 Cricket Podcast, Shreevats Goswami highlighted Hope’s ability to score quickly without relying on brute power. “This is a big call, but Hope is to the West Indies in white-ball cricket what Virat Kohli was for India. You won’t look at him and say he’s dangerous. He’s not your Chris Gayle or Kieron Pollard, and he’s not built like that. But he just plays proper shots and still manages a strike rate in excess of 160. A brilliant batter and a good keeper and captain as well.”

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Although Hope had a relatively slow start to his T20I career, he has developed into a consistent performer. Across 74 T20I appearances, he averages 33.40 at a strike rate of nearly 142.

His impressive form is not limited to the shortest format. During the preceding three-match ODI series against India, Hope scored 278 runs at an average of 139 and a strike rate above 112, despite the West Indies losing the series 1-2.

The right-handed batter registered two centuries in that series, including an unbeaten 162 in the final ODI, helping the visitors chase down a formidable target of 352.

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Hope’s ODI record further underlines his importance to West Indies cricket. With 21 centuries, he ranks second among West Indian batters for most hundreds in the format, behind Chris Gayle’s 25. He has also enjoyed considerable success against India, averaging nearly 48 across formats and scoring eight centuries in 49 innings. His recent performances have strengthened his reputation as one of the most influential batters in West Indies cricket.