Shreyas Iyer hit an unbeaten 102 off 43 balls, his maiden T20I century, as India beat West Indies by eight wickets in the first T20I in Lucknow on Tuesday. India chased 172 in 14.4 overs, with 32 balls to spare, to take a 1-0 lead.
Lucknow, India: At 35 for 2 in the fourth over, with Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma already back in the pavilion, the chase looked as if it might need some careful handling. Iyer had other ideas. India’s captain walked in, took the game apart and finished it with a straight six off Roston Chase, completing a win with 32 balls to spare.
The victory was India’s tenth in a row in T20Is, and it came with a century that Iyer had never managed before in the format.
West Indies reach 171, then run out of room
Iyer won the toss at the Ekana Stadium and chose to field. West Indies began brightly, with captain Shai Hope striking early boundaries, and the visitors kept pace through the middle overs. Hope made 52 off 37 balls and Sherfane Rutherford added 56 off 34 balls, but neither could drive them to a total that stretched India.
West Indies finished on 171 after 19.1 overs. Debutant Naman Dhir was the pick of the bowlers with 3 for 31, removing Hope, Romario Shepherd and Shamar Springer on his first outing for India in the format.
A fast start, then two quick wickets
India’s chase began at pace. They were 62 for 2 after the powerplay, but the early damage was done: Samson made 11 and Abhishek Sharma 21 before both departed. At 35 for 2 in the fourth over, India needed a partnership to restore control.
Iyer and Kishan take over
That is exactly what arrived. Iyer and Ishan Kishan added an unbroken 137 for the third wicket, a stand that ended the contest long before the final over. Kishan made an unbeaten 37 off 27 balls, with five fours, but this was Iyer’s evening. He attacked from the outset, struck a straight six off Springer and then finished the match with a six over long-on off Chase. His 102 not out arrived off 43 balls.
The century carries extra weight for a captain whose side struggled badly in England in July. India have since regrouped, winning Asian Games gold and now stretching their T20I winning run to ten.
What it means for the series
India lead the five-match series 1-0. West Indies, who had beaten India in the final ODI behind Hope’s career-best 162 not out, now have to find a way to stop an India side that has not lost a T20I since July.
Score: West Indies 171 (19.1 overs; Sherfane Rutherford 56 off 34, Shai Hope 52 off 37; Naman Dhir 3-31) lost to India 172/2 (14.4 overs; Shreyas Iyer 102* off 43, Ishan Kishan 37* off 27) by eight wickets
Series: India lead the five-match series 1-0
