Shreyas Iyer's Historic T20I Century Leads India to Victory Over West Indies
Iyer's Remarkable Performance in Lucknow
Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) [India], October 7: After achieving his first T20I century, Indian T20I captain Shreyas Iyer revealed that a discussion with former Indian cricketer and assistant coach Abhishek Nayar significantly contributed to his success during this milestone match.
Iyer showcased his prowess in Lucknow by scoring an impressive 102 not out off just 43 balls, guiding India to successfully chase down a target of 172 runs against the West Indies. Previously, he had also made headlines in Lucknow by scoring his first IPL century against the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) while playing for Punjab Kings (PBKS). In his five T20 appearances in Lucknow, Iyer has amassed 335 runs at a remarkable strike rate exceeding 200, including two centuries and two fifties, with only one dismissal.
In a video shared by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Iyer expressed his excitement, stating, "This is a fantastic beginning, especially after returning from Japan (Asian Games). It was quite challenging, but that’s what we seek at this level. We thrive on challenges and aim to perform at our best without making excuses."
The T20I captain also emphasized the importance of his preparation before each delivery.
He mentioned, "During my time in Japan, I had a brief conversation with Abhishek Nayar about cricket, which I believe greatly influenced my performance today. I focused on setting myself up before each ball, and that strategy worked exceptionally well. Establishing momentum and rhythm at the start of the innings was crucial, and it paid off."
Since returning as T20I captain this year, Iyer has accumulated 511 runs across 17 innings, averaging 39.30 with a strike rate exceeding 149, including one century and two fifties. His highest score stands at 102 not out. This century marked his first fifty-plus score in ten innings, following an 80 against England in July, after a series of low scores and unfulfilled promising starts.
Iyer becomes the third Indian captain, following Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav, to score a T20I century, and he is the only one to achieve this while chasing a target. The previous highest score by an Indian captain in a T20I chase was 94 not out by Virat Kohli against the same team in Hyderabad in 2019.
His 42-ball century ranks as the joint-third fastest T20I century among captains from Test-playing nations, with Zimbabwe's Sikandar Raza holding the record at 33 balls against Gambia in 2024, followed by Rohit Sharma's 35-ball century against Sri Lanka in 2017, and equaled by England's Harry Brook's 42-ball century against Sri Lanka this year.
In the match, West Indies' innings featured fifties from skipper Shai Hope (52 runs off 37 balls, including six fours and two sixes) and Sherfane Rutherford (56 runs off 34 balls, with six fours and three sixes), leading them to a total of 171 runs in 19.1 overs. Naman Dhir (3/31) and Kuldeep Yadav (2/33) delivered impressive four-over spells. During India's chase, after a quick contribution from Abhishek Sharma (21 runs off 10 balls, with three fours and a six), Ishan Kishan (37 not out off 27 balls, with five fours) and Shreyas Iyer guided India to victory with eight wickets remaining and over seven overs to spare.
The second T20I of the series is scheduled to take place in Indore on October 11.