Shreyas Iyer Smashes Maiden T20I Century As India Crush West Indies By 8 Wickets, Take 1-0 Lead

Shreyas Iyer produced a captain’s knock on Tuesday, hitting his maiden T20I century as India beat West Indies by eight wickets in the opening game of the five-match series.

Iyer remained unbeaten on 102, while Ishan Kishan scored 37 not out as the pair put together an unbeaten 137-run stand for the third wicket. India completed the 172-run chase in just 14.4 overs.

The win was set up by an impressive bowling performance from debutant Naman Dhir, who picked up three wickets for 31 runs with his off-spin. Kuldeep Yadav also claimed two wickets as West Indies were restricted to 171.

 

 

 

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India Lose Early Wickets

India did not have the smoothest start to their chase. Abhishek Sharma scored 21 before Roston Chase dismissed him in the third over, with Shimron Hetmyer taking a fine running catch at long-off.

Sanju Samson fell soon after for 11. He tried to cut a short delivery but only managed to slice it back towards Akeal Hosein, who completed the catch off his own bowling.

India were 35 for two inside four overs, but that was as good as it got for West Indies.

Iyer walked in and immediately looked comfortable, while Kishan settled into a supporting role at the other end.

Iyer Takes Control

Once Iyer got going, the chase quickly turned into a one-sided contest.

The Indian captain found boundaries all around the ground and reached the halfway mark with India comfortably placed at 102 for two. He produced one of the shots of the innings in the 11th over, launching Shamar Springer straight over long-off for a six.

Kishan continued to rotate the strike and allowed Iyer to take charge. Iyer then hit Akeal Hosein for a six over long-off before finding another boundary in the same region off the following delivery.

There was little West Indies could do as Iyer continued attacking. He brought up his century from just 42 balls with a straight six off Roston Chase.

Dhir Shines On Debut

Earlier, West Indies were put into bat and Shai Hope got them off to a quick start. Hope struck Mayank Yadav for four boundaries in the second over, forcing Iyer to bring Axar Patel into the attack.

India eventually got their first breakthrough when Arshdeep Singh bowled Kamil Pooran with a full delivery.

West Indies lost another wicket in the sixth over when Hetmyer was run out while attempting a risky single. Axar then struck in the same over, removing Rovman Powell after the batter went for a big shot.

Rutherford Gives West Indies A Lift

Sherfane Rutherford provided the much-needed acceleration, scoring 56 from 34 balls. He attacked Kuldeep with two sixes in the ninth over before taking on Axar for two boundaries and a six in the 11th.

Hope, who had played a more supporting role after Rutherford’s arrival, was dismissed for a well-made 52 from 37 balls in the 12th over. Dhir picked up his first wicket when Hope was caught at deep mid-wicket by Axar.

Kuldeep then trapped Roston Chase in front of the stumps as West Indies slipped further to 114 for five.

Dhir Finishes With Three Wickets

Romario Shepherd briefly threatened to add some late runs when he hit Dhir for a six over deep square leg. But Dhir responded immediately, having Shepherd caught at long-off.

Rutherford’s innings finally ended when Ishan Kishan took a sharp catch at deep mid-wicket off Kuldeep’s bowling.

Dhir completed his three-wicket haul by dismissing Shamar Springer, who was caught by Axar near the boundary.

Mayank Yadav, returning after an injury break, had an expensive outing as West Indies attacked him early. He did, however, get Rutherford’s wicket in the penultimate over, with Dhir taking the catch at deep square leg.

Axar then wrapped up the West Indies innings by dismissing Akeal Hosein, caught by Kishan at long-on.

West Indies finished on 171, but Iyer’s unbeaten century and India’s strong chase ensured there was little drama in the second half of the game.