R Ashwin backs Shai Hope to join RCB for big money at IPL auction

Ravi Ashwin and Shai Hope (Pic: File)

Former Indian cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin believes West Indies captain Shai Hope should be a priority target at the upcoming Indian Premier League auction, suggesting two-time defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru as a suitable destination for the in-form batter.

Hope has enjoyed a sensational white-ball tour of India, highlighted by his fourth century across the series during the fourth T20I at Hyderabad, where he smashed an unbeaten 102 off 50 deliveries featuring four boundaries and nine sixes.

Analysing his potential IPL prospects on his YouTube channel 'Ash ki Baat', Ashwin evaluated how Hope could fit into prospective lineups.

"Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) could be an option for him because they have both Phil Salt and Jacob Bethell. Bethell batted reasonably well, but do they need to have another option there? Maybe, maybe not. So, honestly, should Shai Hope play in the IPL? Is he deserving? Absolutely. In my mind, he would be a number-one player. Will he be picked in this auction? He definitely should be, and I am hoping he will be."

Shai Hope's dominant white-ball numbers

Having made his IPL debut in 2024 with Delhi Capitals, scoring 183 runs in nine innings at a strike rate of 150.00, Hope is aiming to establish himself as a dominant presence in franchise cricket. Ashwin acknowledged that while the top order remains competitive across franchises, Hope's current form makes him an option.

"He is not finding a place in the first XI of any squad, so that is a cause for concern. He will always get a place at number three or four, but is he suited to that role? He is probably not suited to that role, but he is an option. Will a team break the bank for him? I hope so, but it is unlikely. Most teams have their opening slots fixed with overseas players, so I think it will depend more on the combinations they are looking for," Ashwin added.

Hope's current tour statistics stand out, scoring 539 runs across seven innings in India at an average of 134.75, with four centuries and a half-century. Overall against India, the West Indies skipper has scored 1,961 runs across formats in 45 matches at an average of 47.82, including eight centuries.

(With inputs from ANI)