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Playing India in their backyard is always a challenge, says Shai Hope

Ahead of the opening fixture of their three-match ODI assignment, visiting skipper Shai Hope has spoken openly about the immense difficulty of taking on India in their home environment. The Caribbean side enters the contest holding the tenth position globally and looking to reverse a lengthy historical drought against their opponents, having failed to secure a bilateral series victory for two decades and a win on Indian soil for twenty-four years.

Hope himself brings notable individual success into the fixtures, having accumulated 869 runs at an average of 51.11 since the beginning of 2025 alongside a career average of 56.88 across eleven prior ODIs in the country.

Addressing reporters prior to the initial match, the visiting leader emphasized the necessity of embracing the unique demands of competing away from home against elite opposition. He noted that preparation and training requirements differ significantly in South Asia compared to Australia, England, or the Caribbean, stressing that careful attention to detail and rigorous adaptation are vital for success.

The traveling squad features a mix of seasoned campaigners like Roston Chase and Alzarri Joseph alongside newcomers undertaking their maiden tour of the nation.

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