Shai Hope: Expected a wide yorker from Umesh

Hope, who scored a brilliant 123, said Windies was 'happy to take a tie over a loss'.

Shai Hope: "I was hoping that he would bowl a wide yorker. I knew that if I got enough bat on it, it will go for a four."

West Indian batsman Shai Hope stated that he expected a wide yorker from Umesh Yadav in the last ball of the match, which helped him cash in.

“I was hoping that he would bowl a wide yorker. I knew that if I got enough bat on it, it will go for a four. And If I could get under it and connect really well, it could go for a six and we would win. The six wasn’t to be, but we’re happy to take a tie over a loss,” Hope said here on Wednesday.

READ| Hope, Kohli tons light up thrilling tie

The key for Hope was to not lose his wicket and to hang in there until the very end. “I knew I had to take it deep because it was difficult for new batsmen to come in and score. For me personally, I just had to keep my head. There were times when I struggled to get bat on ball, so it was good to have Ashley Nurse at the other end. The bowlers delivered a lot of yorkers, so it was difficult,” Hope said.

Hope added that the dismissal of Shimron Hetmyer “made things difficult, but not impossible”.

Tough to grip the ball

India spinner Kuldeep Yadav, who took three wickets, explained that his side did well to hold West Indies to a tie.

“I think the bowlers did a really good job. At one stage, we were out of the match. They needed about 90 runs with six wickets in hand. So, we are very happy with our performance,” Kuldeep said.

“There was a lot of dew. It was very tough to grip the ball, especially for the spinners,” Kuldeep said.