Shreyas Iyer struck his maiden T20I century on Friday, steering India to a comprehensive eight-wicket victory against West Indies in the first match of their series in Lucknow. The Indian skipper remained unbeaten on 102 off just 43 deliveries, an explosive knock featuring 10 fours and 6 sixes. His performance anchored a 137-run third-wicket partnership with Ishan Kishan, who provided steady support with 37 not out off 27 balls, allowing the hosts to chase down a target of 172 with more than five overs to spare.
India’s pursuit started briskly despite early wickets. Abhishek Sharma hit 21 off 10 balls, while Sanju Samson contributed before both fell by the fourth over, leaving India at 35 for 2. Iyer stabilized the innings, accelerating through the Powerplay to reach 62 for 2. The match swung in India’s favor after a 19-run over from Romario Shepherd, which provided the momentum needed to reach 102 for 2 at the halfway stage. A pivotal moment occurred when the third umpire ruled that Matthew Forde failed to secure a diving catch at sweeper cover off Shamar Springer, granting Kishan a reprieve that further frustrated the visitors. Striking four boundaries to take India to 62 for 2 after six overs, iyer ensured that the remainder of the Powerplay remained profitable in terms of runs. As Iyer hit three fours and Kishan got a boundary, west Indies tried to slow things down with a couple of quiet overs but an expensive 19-run over from Romario Shepherd followed. By the end of the 10th over, India had moved to 102 for 2, needing only 70 more in the second half. After which Kishan got a lucky break as the third umpire felt Forde didn’t get his fingers under the ball while taking a diving catch at sweeper cover in Shamar Springer’s over, iyer went on to bring up a 28-ball fifty. Getting a couple of boundaries before Arshdeep Singh ended his stay in the fifth over, kamil Pooran looked promising at the other end.
Iyer’s innings moved into a different gear after that point. He dismantled the West Indies attack in the 13th and 14th overs, dispatching Akeal Hosein and Forde to all corners of the ground. By hitting Roston Chase over long-on, Iyer secured his hundred in just 42 balls, marking the second-fastest T20I ton by an Indian captain after Rohit Sharma’s 35-ball effort in 2017. The comfortable chase marked India’s 10th successive T20I victory.
Batting first, West Indies reached 171 before being bowled out in 19.1 overs. Shai Hope led the way with a 36-ball 50, supported by Sherfane Rutherford’s 31-ball 56. The visitors started well despite losing wickets at regular intervals; Shimron Hetmyer was run out for 5, and Rovman Powell fell for a duck to Axar Patel. Debutant Naman Dhir proved instrumental for India, claiming 3 for 31, including the crucial wicket of Hope. Kuldeep Yadav also chipped in with wickets, including Forde, thanks to a sharp catch from Kishan. While Axar went for 18 in the 11th over, including a six by Rutherford, kuldeep Yadav was hit for two sixes in the ninth over.
A late surge from Rutherford and Hosein, who combined for 36 runs, pushed the West Indies total past the 170 mark. Rutherford hit multiple boundaries against Mayank Yadav and Arshdeep Singh to reach his half-century. However, the momentum was halted by consistent bowling in the death overs, as Mayank Yadav removed Rutherford and Axar dismissed Hosein in the final over. The scorecard finished with West Indies at 171 and India at 172 for 2 in 14.4 overs, with Hosein taking the only wicket of note for the visitors at 1 for 37.
