Shreyas Iyer struck an unbeaten 102 from 43 deliveries to power India to 172 for 2 in 14.4 overs, beating West Indies by eight wickets in the first T20I at Lucknow’s Ekana stadium on Monday night and extending India’s winning streak in the format to ten matches.
Bowling set up the chase
Captain Iyer won the toss and inserted the visitors on a gripping surface. Axar Patel took two wickets in a double-wicket maiden to close the powerplay, Kuldeep Yadav recovered from an expensive over to finish with two scalps, and T20I debutant Naman Dhir grabbed 3 for 31 with off-spin. West Indies still reached 171 thanks to half-centuries from Shai Hope and Sherfane Rutherford, but lost momentum when middle-order hitters could not clear the rope consistently.
Iyer’s innings
India lost both openers early, but Iyer and Ishan Kishan rebuilt at a brisk pace. Iyer reached his maiden T20I century with a flurry of boundaries, the fastest ton by an Indian against West Indies in the format, per broadcast statistics. Kishan made 37 before departing, leaving Iyer to finish the chase with Rinku Singh.
Debut notes
Dhir’s three-wicket haul capped a dream debut after he was struck for six in his first over. Selectors had backed extra spin at a venue that historically aids turners; the plan worked until Rutherford counter-attacked. Seamers played a supporting role as West Indies ended on 171 all out in 19.1 overs.
Series context
The five-match series moves to Ranchi for the second T20I on Friday, 9 October, at 7 p.m. IST. West Indies must sharpen death bowling and fielding to stay alive, while India will weigh whether to rest bowlers ahead of upcoming international windows.
Captaincy form
Iyer’s leadership combined aggressive field placements with calm batting under pressure. Fans at Ekana, hosting its first T20I of this tour, saw the payoff from India’s depth in spin-allrounders.
Caribbean takeaways
Hope’s fluent fifty showed top-order quality, but middle-order strike rates lagged against wrist spin. West Indies coach staff said they would analyse video of Dhir’s variations before Ranchi.
Records and rankings
India’s tenth consecutive T20I win tightens their hold on the top ICC ranking points. Iyer joins a growing list of Indian middle-order batters who have converted IPL form into international hundreds across formats.
What Ranchi may bring
JSCA International Stadium typically offers slightly more pace than Lucknow. West Indies may bring an extra seamer, while India could test a backup opener. For now, Iyer’s 43-ball masterpiece sets the tone for a series India are expected to dominate—but the visitors have two days to plot a comeback.