HOPE’S HEROICS HELP WINDIES TIE ODI

CENTURION Shai Hope (pix) hit a last-ball boundary to help West Indies tie the second one-day international against India despite Indian skipper Virat Kohli’s dazzling 157 yesterday. Needing five runs off the final ball to chase down West Indies’ target of 322, Hope – who made a total of 123 – got four off Indian paceman Umesh Yadav as the tourists ended on 321-7 in their 50 overs. Earlier Kohli became the quickest batsman to reach 10,000 ODI runs on his way to his second successive century and help India amass 321-6 after electing to bat first. The hosts lead the five-match series 1-0. Left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav claimed three wickets in what turned out to be the second tied game between the two sides. The West Indies were in trouble at 78-3 when Hope infused life into their chase and put on 143 runs for the fourth wicket with Shimron Hetmyer, who blasted 94 off 64 deliveries. “It was a great game of cricket, great to be part of it. Full house and credit to the West Indies team as well, they showed great heart,” said Kohli, adding Hetmyer and Hope had put on a “beautiful partnership”. “The way (the) two teams played it was a fair result,” Kohli added. “Personally, I’m pretty proud of my innings and my milestone.” Kohli’s fresh heroics came at the back of his 140 in India’s opening win on Sunday. “Really good game of cricket played by both teams. Congrats to Virat, played a brilliant knock and on getting to the 10,000 milestone,” said West Indies captain Jason Holder. “Shai Hope is a young talent and he played a magnificent knock… Also Shimron Hetmyer showed his consistency again and I felt it was a really good effort by the bowlers.”