Shreyas Iyer’s maiden T20I century guides India to eight-wicket win over West Indies

LUCKNOW, India (AFP) — Captain Shreyas Iyer struck his maiden T20 international century to lead India to a convincing eight-wicket win over the West Indies in the opening match on Tuesday. With India chasing 172 for victory, Iyer hit an unbeaten 102 off 43 balls to steer his team home with 32 balls to spare in Lucknow. India lead the five-match series 1-0. With eight needed off 36 balls and Iyer on 95, Ishan Kishan handed his captain the strike and the top-order batter reached his ton with a six and then took a single to complete the chase. "Definitely exultant — that's the word I would use today," said player of the match Iyer. "I was actually thinking about getting my first century, and it came through. So, you know, I definitely want to say that dreams do come true." Iyer and the T20 team produced the win after they landed in India on Monday evening with an Asian Games men's T20 gold medal. While they were in Japan, a completely different India squad, led by Shubman Gill, beat West Indies 2-1 in an ODI series. Swashbuckling Abhishek Sharma gave the hosts a brisk start in his 10-ball 21 before spinner Roston Chase got the left-hander caught out. Left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein then struck in his 100th T20 for the West Indies to send back Sanju Samson caught and bowled for 11. Iyer and the left-handed Kishan, who made 37, then took charge with a string of boundaries and put on an unbeaten stand of 137. Iyer raised his first half-century off 28 balls after 10 T20 innings and then changed gear for his next set of 50 in 14 balls. Spinners set up victory with debutant Naman Dhir returning figures of 3-31 to bowl out West Indies for 171. India elected to field first and despite a quick start by skipper Shai Hope, who made 52 off 37 balls, the spinners struck regular blows. "I thought we maybe were a little bit too chaotic in the batting," said Hope. "Very aggressive about playing. But yeah, when you're playing in India, you got to put runs on the board." Sherfane Rutherford top-scored with 56 but bowlers kept India in control. Kuldeep Yadav and fellow spinner Axar Patel took two wickets each. The second T20 is on Friday in Ranchi.

In a thrilling opening match of the series, Shreyas Iyer reached his maiden T20I century, finishing with a stunning 102 runs off just 43 balls. This remarkable innings paved the way for India's eight-wicket triumph over West Indies. Debutant Naman Dhir made a mark too, claiming three wickets as the Windies were limited to 171 runs. India now leads the series 1-0, showcasing their prowess in both batting and bowling.

Shreyas Iyer smashed 10 fours and six sixes in a 42-ball 101 as India chase down 172 in just 14.3 overs to take a 1-0 lead in the five-match seriesLucknow, October 6: Shreyas Iyer scored an unbeaten 101 off 42 balls as India chased down the target of 172 runs against West Indies in the first T20I in Lucknow on Tuesday. India reached 171/2 in 14.3 overs, winning the match by eight wickets with 33 balls to spare. Shreyas smashed his first T20I century and also the first as the captain of the Indian Cricket Team.After winning the toss, India captain Shreyas Iyer elected to bowl first at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium. West Indies scored 171 runs before being bowled out in 19.1 overs. ! Captain Shreyas Iyer with his maiden T20I century and what a knock it's been! Updates ▶️ https://t.co/2czVyKWreK#TeamIndia | #INDvWI | @mflone_ | @ShreyasIyer15 pic.twitter.com/WxO6smJbRZ— BCCI (@BCCI) October 6, 2026 Captain Shai Hope top-scored with 56 runs off 37 balls, while Sherfane Rutherford added 52 runs. Naman Dhir was India's leading bowler, taking three wickets for 31 runs. Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav picked up two wickets each.Shreyas Iyer Leads India's ChaseIndia got off to a quick start, with Abhishek Sharma scoring 21 off 10 balls. Sanju Samson made 11 off nine balls before getting out, while Ishan Kishan contributed 37 runs off 27 balls. Iyer then took control of the chase, attacking the West Indies bowlers and hitting boundaries regularly.Iyer's unbeaten 101 came off just 42 deliveries and included 10 fours and six sixes, according to the scorecard shared. His innings helped India reach the target comfortably and gave the team a strong start to the five-match T20I series.IND Vs WI 1st T20I Toss Update: Team India Captain Shreyas Iyer Wins Toss, Opts To Bowl Amid Rain ThreatsIndia's convincing win will boost the team's confidence ahead of the second T20I, scheduled to be played in Ranchi on October 9. The five-match series will continue with games in Indore, Hyderabad and Bengaluru.