India Dominates West Indies in First T20I with Shreyas Iyer's Century

India commenced their T20I series against West Indies with a remarkable eight-wicket win, driven by Shreyas Iyer's explosive century. Chasing 172 runs, Iyer's unbeaten 102 off 43 balls showcased his dominance, supported by Ishan Kishan's steady innings. The Indian bowlers restricted West Indies to 171 runs, with debutant Naman Dhir shining with the ball. This victory marks a strong start for India in the series, following their recent success at the Asian Games. Read on for a detailed breakdown of the match.

By Narendra Chaudhary Oct 6, 2026, 23:53 IST

India's Strong Start in T20I Series Against West Indies

In Lucknow, India kicked off their five-match T20I series against the West Indies with a commanding eight-wicket victory at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.

Chasing a target of 172 runs, India achieved the goal in just 14.4 overs, thanks to an outstanding unbeaten century from captain Shreyas Iyer, who scored 102 runs off 43 balls, featuring 10 fours and six sixes at an impressive strike rate of 237.21.

Iyer took charge of the innings right from the start, dismantling the West Indies bowling attack with a series of powerful shots.

His innings was characterized by a blend of aggression and composure, consistently finding the boundary and keeping the pressure on the West Indies bowlers.

Iyer received solid support from Ishan Kishan, who contributed 37 runs off 27 balls, including five boundaries, as they formed a crucial partnership. Kishan played a more measured role, ensuring he stayed until the end.

Sanju Samson added 11 runs off nine balls before being dismissed by Akeal Hosein, while India lost Abhishek Sharma early in their innings.

Earlier in the match, India won the toss and chose to field, limiting the West Indies to 171 runs in 19.1 overs. The visitors started strong with captain Shai Hope scoring a fluent 52 runs off 37 balls, including six fours and two sixes.

Sherfane Rutherford provided a late boost with a well-crafted 56 runs off 34 balls, hitting six fours and three sixes.

However, the West Indies struggled to maintain their momentum, losing wickets at regular intervals. Kamil Pooran managed 12 runs off 11 balls before being dismissed by Arshdeep Singh, while Shimron Hetmyer scored five runs off two balls before being run out. Rovman Powell was dismissed for a duck, further hindering the visitors' progress.

For India, debutant Naman Dhir had a standout performance with the ball, taking 3 wickets for 31 runs in his four overs, including the crucial dismissals of Hope, Romario Shepherd, and Shamar Springer. Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav each took two wickets, while Arshdeep Singh and Mayank Yadav claimed one wicket apiece.

Despite Hope and Rutherford's efforts providing a competitive total, India's bowlers struck at key moments, bowling out the West Indies with five balls remaining. Rutherford's 56 was the highest score for the West Indies, while Hope's 52 provided a solid start.

Iyer's dominance in the chase was evident from the beginning. After the dismissal of Sanju Samson left India at 35 for 2, Iyer took control, attacking the West Indies bowlers with authority. His unbeaten 102 came off just 43 balls, including 16 boundaries, allowing India to reach their target with 32 balls to spare.

In the latter stages of the chase, Iyer accelerated, dismantling the West Indies attack with a mix of powerful hitting and clean strokes. His partnership with Kishan ensured a smooth finish without any late drama.

For the West Indies, Akeal Hosein, in his 100th T20I match, was the only bowler to take more than one wicket, dismissing Samson. Roston Chase also took a wicket, but the team struggled to contain Iyer's onslaught.

This victory gives India an early lead in the five-match series and continues their strong performance following their gold medal win in the men's cricket event at the 2026 Asian Games. The West Indies will aim to regroup ahead of the second T20I.