Shai Hopes: West Indies wicketkeeper-batter Shai Hope has created history in the second ODI against New Zealand at McLean Park, Napier. It was very clear that the Caribbean team was in deep trouble after being reduced to 86/5; they were asked to bat first. Instead of rebuilding the innings, Hope has given a brave counterattack. The 32-year-old played a game-changing knock with an unbeaten 109 runs in just 69 balls to help the West Indies reach a competitive total of 247.

Hope made history by smashing four sixes during his incredible stint at the crease. Legendary keepers like MS Dhoni, Adam Gilchrist, Kumar Sangakkara, and Brendon McCullum have never smashed 50 sixes in a single calendar year before. He was the first wicketkeeper-batter in international cricket to achieve that.

Hope’s campaign in 2025 has been brilliant, as he is consistent and shows the ability to cross the boundary at will; none of his contemporaries has managed to do so. The nearest any batsman came to taking Hope’s record this year was England’s Jos Buttler, but still 21 sixes separate them, depicting his dominance throughout the year.

Highest Sixes by Keeper-Batter in International Matches in a Single Year:
1. Shai Hope – 50 Sixes – 2025
2. Adam Gilchrist – 41 Sixes – 2005
3. Jos Buttler – 41 Sixes – 2016
4. Quinton De Knock – 40 Sixes – 2016
5. Mohammad Rizwan – 40 Sixes – 2021

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Hope was not enough to save the West Indies: The Kiwis lost a few quick wickets after getting dismissed, but Tom Latham and skipper Mitchell Santner put together 54 runs to win. New Zealand now takes a 2-0 lead over the three-match series after the win and seals the ODI series. The third ODI will be played in Hamilton’s Seddon Park on Saturday, November 22.

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