IND vs WI, 1st T20I: Shreyas Iyer’s maiden T20I century powers India to a crushing victory

Brief Scores: India (172/2) beat West Indies (171) by 8 wickets in the first T20I in Lucknow.

Captain Shreyas Iyer smashed his maiden T20I century to lead India to a crushing eight-wicket win over West Indies in the first T20I on Tuesday. Iyer’s unbeaten 102 off 43 balls helped India chase down 172 in just 17.3 overs to give the hosts a 1-0 lead in the five-match series and extend their T20I winning streak to 10 matches.

Iyer came in during the third over with India at 35 for 2 but quickly settled into the chase before dismantling the attack. On a surface that was not as easy to bat on as the three pitches used during the ODI series, the Indian skipper combined patience with a strong stroke play to turn what could have been a tricky one into a comfortable one.

IND vs WI, 1st T20I: Highlights | Scorecard

The hundred was Iyer’s first in T20Is and the highest score of his career in the format, surpassing his previous best of 80 not out from 49 balls against England in Bristol earlier this year. He reached his century in just 42 balls to become the fastest Indian batsman to score a T20I hundred against the West Indies.

Iyer also became only the third Indian captain to score a century in men’s T20Is, joining Rohit Sharma who has three hundreds and Suryakumar Yadav who has one.

The moment he reached the milestone, he drew a standing ovation from the crowd. Iyer lifted his helmet and acknowledged the applause before being congratulated by Ishan Kishan, who played an important role in the chase. Several West Indies players also came forward to confirm the Indian captain’s innings.

Iyer had a lot to do after India lost the first two wickets, but he didn’t let the situation affect the chase. He soon took his time, and once he was ready, he began to open up. His ability to find boundaries without losing control put the West Indian bowlers under increasing pressure.

Kishan provided solid support at the other end as the pair stitched a partnership that effectively ended the contest. India were 35 for 2 but once Iyer found his rhythm, the target started to look well within reach.

The ease with which India completed the chase also highlighted how far West Indies had fallen with the bat. Sherfane Rutherford suggested at the end of the first innings that his side were about 20 runs short. The way India chased the target suggested they might need another 60 runs to make the contest competitive.

NAMAN DHIR STARS ON T20I DEBUT

Previously, a debutante Naman Dhir created an unforgettable first trip to Indiahe took 3 for 31 with his off-spin as West Indies were bowled out for 171. Kuldeep Yadav picked up two wickets while Axar Patel also played an important role as India recovered from an aggressive start by the visitors.

Shai Hope came out on the attack and smashed Mayank Yadav for four boundaries in the second over. Iyer responded by bringing Axar into the attack in the third over and India soon began to make inroads.

Arshdeep Singh provided the first breakthrough when he bowled Kamil Pooran with a pitched delivery. West Indies then suffered another setback in the sixth over when Shimron Hetmyer was run out attempting a needless single.

Axar struck soon after cleaning up Rovman Powell with a full-on delivery after the right-hander went over square leg. West Indies were suddenly three wickets down and in need of a partnership.

Rutherford provided it. The left-hander took on Kuldeep in the ninth over and hit him for two sixes before attacking Axar in the 11th over with two boundaries and a six. His 56 off 34 balls gave the West Indies innings much-needed momentum.

Hope, playing second fiddle to Rutherford’s arrival, reached his fifty before slumping to 52 off 37 balls. He was caught by Axar at deep midwicket off Dhir in the 12th over.

Kuldeep then trapped Roston Chase lbw as West Indies slipped to 114 for 5 in 12.3 overs. Romario Shepherd briefly threatened to add some late runs when he hit Dhir for a six over deep square leg, but the debutant came back strongly to be caught at long-on by Tilak Varma.

Ishan Kishan then produced an excellent catch at deep mid-wicket off Kuldeep to dismiss Rutherford, ending the biggest threat of the innings.

Dhir completed his three-wicket haul by dismissing Shamar Springer, who was caught by Axar for a boundary after hitting the spinner for a six off the previous delivery.

Mayank Yadav, who returned to the Indian side from injury, had a costly outing but eventually removed Rutherford, caught by Dhir at deep square leg.

Axar Patel then completed the innings by dismissing Akeal Hosein caught at long-on by Ishan as West Indies were bowled out for 171.

But the night belonged to Iyer. After losing six of his first seven matches as India’s T20I captain, he has now led the team to 10 consecutive victories. His hundred came at a crucial stage in the chase and ensured that India never let the West Indies back into the contest.

With Iyer in this form, India could hardly have asked for a better start to the five-match series.

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