Shreyas Iyer’s Century, Naman Dhir’s Three-Wicket Haul Power India to Eight-Wicket Win
Shreyas Iyer produced a stunning captain’s innings, smashing his maiden T20I century, while debutant Naman Dhir made an immediate impact with a three-wicket haul as India defeated West Indies by eight wickets in the opening match of the five-game series here on Tuesday.
After opting to bowl, India restricted West Indies to 171 all out in 19.1 overs before racing to 172 for two in just 14.4 overs, taking a 1-0 lead with 32 balls remaining.
Iyer remained unbeaten on 102 off 43 balls, reaching his century in 42 deliveries. His explosive innings included 10 fours and six sixes and made him only the third Indian captain to score a T20I century, after Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav. His 42-ball hundred was also the fastest T20I century by an Indian against West Indies.
India’s chase, however, began poorly as Abhishek Sharma (21) and Sanju Samson (11) fell inside four overs, leaving the hosts at 35 for two. Roston Chase dismissed Abhishek, who was caught by Shimron Hetmyer at long-off, before Samson sliced Akeal Hosein back to the bowler.
Iyer then took charge alongside Ishan Kishan, who remained unbeaten on 37 off 27 balls. The pair added an unbeaten 137-run partnership, with Iyer finding boundaries across the ground and bringing up his century with a straight six off Chase. The partnership turned a potentially challenging chase into a comfortable victory.
Earlier, West Indies made a brisk start through Shai Hope, who struck four boundaries off Mayank Yadav in the second over. Arshdeep Singh then removed Kamil Pooran, while Hetmyer was run out before Axar Patel dismissed Rovman Powell, leaving West Indies 44 for three in the powerplay.
Hope and Sherfane Rutherford revived the innings with a 63-run stand. Hope scored 52 off 37, while Rutherford made 56 off 34, but India repeatedly struck at crucial moments.
Dhir, making his T20I debut, finished with 3/31, while Axar took 2/26 and Kuldeep Yadav 2/33. Dhir dismissed Hope, Romario Shepherd and Shamar Springer to become only the third Indian spinner to claim three wickets on T20I debut, after Pragyan Ojha and Axar.
India’s all-round dominance ensured a commanding opening victory and gave Iyer’s captaincy era a spectacular start in the five-match series.
Brief scores:
West Indies:
171 all out in 19.1 overs (Sherfane Rutherford 56, Shai Hope 52; Naman Dhir 3/31, Axar Patel 2/26, Kuldeep Yadav 2/33)
India:
172/2 in 14.4 overs (Shreyas Iyer 102 not out, Ishan Kishan 37 not out; Roston Chase 1/37)