Shreyas Iyer’s blistering ton helps India to pulverize West Indies in T20I series opener

Team India dictated the terms in the most ruthless fashion as they secured the bragging rights of the first T20I against West Indies with consummate ease. Lucknow witnessed Shreyas Iyer’s batting brilliance coupled with a stellar show from the Indian bowlers who combined well to hurt the visitors.

Winning the toss, India opted to bowl first. Naman Dhir was handed his T20I debut and he shined bright straightaway. West Indies got off to a flyer, courtesy of Shai Hope’s blistering show with the bat. He regulated the opening partnership as Hope and Kamil Pooran (12) added 38 runs for the partnership.

While West Indies motored along perfectly, a miscued yank from Pooran went all wrong as he dragged the ball onto his own timbre off Arshdeep Singh. India were quick to double down the charge as they landed two more wickets in short succession.

Shimron Hetmyer (5) was run out by Shreyas Iyer while Axar Patel sent Rovman Powell (0) packing as West Indies were reduced to 44/3. An incoming Sherfane Rutherford anchored the innings well while that allowed Hope to attack.

The two added 63 runs for the fourth wicket before Naman Dhir got the better of Hope. Hope got a well-orchestrated 52 from just 37 balls. From there, it was Rutherford fighting out all alone. He scored a 34-ball-56, hammering six fours and three sixes. West Indies were bundled out for 171 with five balls to spare in the innings.

Debutant Naman Dhir was the pick of the lot with figures of 3/31 while Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel claimed two wickets each to get India the much-needed momentum.

Abhishek Sharma came out swinging as India pummeled their way through from the very outset of the innings. Sharma belted 21 off 10 balls, rocking three fours and a six. However, once Roston Chase got the better of Sharma, India lost Sanju Samson (11) too who was caught and bowled by Akeal Hossein.

However, that is when Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer started with the mega overhaul. The two came together, clobbering, hacking, smashing and rocking their way through the West Indies bowling line-up. Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer added 137 runs for the third wicket to take India home.

Iyer smashed his first T20I century in style, rocking Roston Chase over long on. However, what was the intriguing part about that ton is that it took him 28 balls to get to the first fifty runs while he completed the second fifty runs from the next 14 balls. Ishan Kishan, despite a catching scare, stayed unbeaten for 37. Iyer’s 43-ball-102 to secure the bragging rights of the game for India. The Indian captain also bagged the Player of the Match award for his sensational knock with the bat.