Shreyas Iyer’s Maiden T20I Hundred Powers India to Crushing Win

Shreyas Iyer smashed his maiden T20I century as India cruised to a commanding victory over the West Indies, extending their winning streak in T20 internationals to 10 matches.

Chasing 172, India overcame an early wobble to race home in just 14.4 overs. Iyer produced a breathtaking assault at the end of the innings, scoring 57 of his final 18 balls and finishing with a spectacular unbeaten hundred.

The West Indies had posted 171 after half-centuries from Shai Hope and Sherfane Rutherford. However, India's three-pronged spin attack played a decisive role, claiming eight wickets between them.

Axar Patel set the tone during the powerplay with a double-wicket maiden. Kuldeep Yadav recovered from an expensive over to pick up two wickets, while T20I debutant Naman Dhir emerged as India's surprise hero. After being hit for a six, Dhir responded immediately with a wicket on three occasions, finishing with impressive figures of 3 for 31.

Hope and Rutherford revive West Indies

After losing the toss, West Indies were sent in to bat, with Shai Hope once again opening the innings. Hope, who had enjoyed a prolific ODI series, continued his excellent form and raced to four boundaries against Mayank Yadav in the second over.

Arshdeep Singh then began to pull things back with a series of yorkers. His persistence paid off when Kamil Pooran played on, giving India their first breakthrough.

Axar Patel then produced a decisive fourth over. Shimron Hetmyer was run out after his bat bounced up during a dive, while Rovman Powell was bowled after failing to connect with a straight delivery. West Indies finished the powerplay at 44 for 3, leaving India firmly in control.

However, Hope and Rutherford mounted a strong recovery. Rutherford attacked Kuldeep Yadav with two sixes, while West Indies collected 18 runs from Axar's 11th over.

With India forced to turn to their fifth bowler, Naman Dhir stepped up. Hope struck him for a six early in the over, but Dhir responded by slowing the pace and having Hope caught at deep midwicket.

Romario Shepherd and Shamar Springer also fell to Dhir's variations as the debutant repeatedly responded to boundaries with wickets. West Indies, who had reached 100 for 3 after 11 overs, eventually finished on 171.

India stumble before Iyer takes charge

India's chase began aggressively but suffered an unexpected setback when openers Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson were dismissed by the West Indies spinners.

Roston Chase and Akeal Hosein extracted enough assistance from the pitch to trouble India's top order, reducing the hosts to 36 for 2 after four overs.

But the West Indies could not maintain the pressure. Ishan Kishan attacked Chase, while Iyer took on Shamar Joseph with a series of boundaries. India reached 62 for 2 at the end of the powerplay and appeared to have regained control.

At the halfway stage, Iyer was batting on 45 from 25 balls, with Kishan on 25 from 16. India needed 70 runs from the final 10 overs.

Iyer unleashes brutal assault

What followed was a remarkable display of power hitting.

Iyer suddenly shifted gears, smashing six sixes in the next 18 balls he faced. He tore into Matthew Forde during the 14th over, collecting 24 runs from it as India's chase turned into a procession.

Kishan played the supporting role brilliantly, rotating the strike and allowing Iyer to remain on the attack.

The right-hander eventually brought up his maiden T20I century with a series of clean, flat sixes, completing a remarkable turnaround after India's early setbacks.

Iyer's explosive innings ended the contest with India reaching the target in just 14.4 overs, underlining their dominance and extending their T20I winning streak to 10 matches.

For West Indies, the performances of Hope and Rutherford offered plenty of encouragement, but their lack of bowling options on a challenging Lucknow surface ultimately proved costly.