Shreyas Iyer’s maiden T20I ton powers India past West Indies

Shreyas Iyer struck his maiden T20I century to lead India to an eight-wicket victory over West Indies in the first T20I at Ekana International Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on Tuesday. India chased 172 in 14.4 overs, completing a commanding response after West Indies had been bowled out for 171.

Iyer’s hundred was the fastest by an Indian against West Indies in T20Is, and it turned a difficult-looking chase into a comfortable result. India had slipped to 35 for two inside four overs, but Iyer and Ishan Kishan rebuilt the innings with an unbeaten 137-run partnership.

The result gave India a winning start after a match in which their bowlers had first restricted West Indies to a manageable total before Iyer took control of the chase.

Iyer and Kishan recover India after early wickets

India’s pursuit did not begin smoothly. Both openers were dismissed within the first four overs, leaving the hosts 35 for two. One opener fell for 21 in the third over when Roston Chase took the wicket, with a diving catch completed while running in from long-off.

An over later, Sanju Samson was out for 11. He sliced a short delivery back to Akeal Hosein, who held the return catch off his own bowling. The double setback gave West Indies an early opening in defence of 171.

Iyer and Kishan then changed the shape of the contest. Their 137-run stand stabilised India after the early losses and carried the chase through to its conclusion. Iyer led from the front in his role as captain, reaching his first T20I hundred as India accelerated to the target with 32 balls remaining.

India’s finish in 14.4 overs underlined the force of the recovery. The chase required a response after the early wickets, and the Iyer-Kishan partnership ensured there was no further collapse as India finished with eight wickets in hand.

Naman Dhir’s debut spell limits West Indies to 171

Earlier, Naman Dhir made a memorable T20I debut with three wickets from his off-spin. Dhir returned figures of 3 for 31 as India dismissed West Indies for 171. Another India bowler claimed 2 for 33 to support the effort.

West Indies had begun brightly after being sent in to bat. Captain Shai Hope struck four boundaries off Mayank Yadav in the second over, prompting Iyer to make a bowling change in the third over.

Arshdeep Singh supplied India’s first breakthrough by bowling Kamil Pooran with a pitched-up delivery. West Indies then lost Shimron Hetmyer in the sixth over after he was run out attempting a single.

The same over brought another important wicket when Axar Patel bowled Rovman Powell. Powell attempted a big shot over square-leg but was cleaned up by another pitched-up delivery, leaving West Indies under pressure after their lively opening.

Sherfane Rutherford provided the key late impetus with 56 from 34 balls. The left-hander hit Kuldeep Yadav for two sixes in the ninth over, then attacked Axar in the 11th with two boundaries and a six. His innings helped West Indies reach 171, but India’s bowlers had prevented the total from becoming more imposing.

A decisive opening result for India

The first T20I was decided by India’s ability to respond in both innings. Dhir’s three-wicket debut helped contain West Indies, while Iyer’s landmark century and his partnership with Kishan overwhelmed the target. India closed the match with an eight-wicket win and a fast, emphatic chase in Lucknow.