Shai Hope is having a dream run. Since 2023, he has made his debut in six T20 leagues around the world, has been named West Indies' ODI and T20I captain, and has returned to Test cricket. He spoke from South Africa, where he is playing for Pretoria Capitals in the SA20, about his evolution as a T20 batter, how West Indies can get better, and more. I would say it's progressing. I'm learning a lot every single day, especially bouncing ideas off some of the other guys in the team - whichever team I play for.

I've had the experience of travelling around the world, playing in different leagues, gaining experience - especially in the CPL, [with] some guys coming from overseas, [and] just sharing that knowledge. And it has been helping me a lot, especially with my power game, changing gears, [and] understanding situations a lot better. So I just believe for the last couple of years or so, I've been progressing a lot, trying to add things to my game. And one thing about me is, I always try to find ways to keep getting better.

So that's the aim for me right now. All of your T20 hundreds have come since 2023. Looking at your improving numbers and impact in this time, can you tell me what has changed? What did you work on? I think a lot of it has to do with the mindset. I don't think I changed too much in terms of the technical side of things. It was more of a mindset change, and just being a little bit more adaptable and evolving with the game as well.  Even the Test game has evolved, and the run rates have increased even more.

So [I've been] just understanding what's required in certain situations and trying to put a bit more pressure back onto the bowlers and not allowing them to settle as much, while still being adaptable in whatever situation you're faced with.  Because sometimes you'll be in the powerplay, three or four down, and you've got to find ways to not allow bowlers to settle and not give them another chance to have more inroads.

So understanding when is the right time to go, depending on surfaces, conditions, opposition bowlers - there's so much to it. I think that part of it makes me tick a little bit more.  Just being in the game and being as adaptable as possible has allowed me to progress and be a lot better in the last few years. Probably opportunity as well, because I haven't been playing consistently in the [Test] format. I was in and out of the team. When I came in, they [gave] me a specific role and that [was] more to keep the innings together.

It was more low-risk cricket, trying to ensure that the power-hitters get that back-end depth that we're looking for.  So maybe a change in roles, a change in mindset [helped]. But yeah, it's just about having that freedom, having that clear mindset, trusting the plan - whatever I'm doing. Some days it won't come off, some days it will. I just felt as though the game has evolved and you can't [get stuck] in the past.

I felt I needed to try things, try to develop my game as best as I could. And I trusted my preparation, trusted my planning, and just backed whatever I prepared in the nets.  And the discussions, the research that I've done for the opposition, the conditions - everything just came together. In the last few years things have just been on the rise for me. 

Did you work with anyone in particular to develop skills like power-hitting? It's difficult to single out anyone in particular because everyone brought something different to my progression and to my game. My brother, Kyle Hope, is in my corner 24x7. Anything that I see or he sees, he's very quick to come to me and [say] "Okay, maybe you should try this. Maybe you should leave this out." 

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)