India skipper Shreyas Iyer marked his return to form in spectacular fashion, smashing his maiden T20I century as India cruised to an eight-wicket win over West Indies in the opening match of the five-match series on Tuesday.Chasing 172, India raced to 172 for two in just 14.4 overs, with Iyer producing a breathtaking unbeaten 102 off 43 balls. The century, completed with a towering six off Roston Chase, was the fastest by an Indian batter against West Indies in T20Is.Iyer walked off to a standing ovation after taking his helmet off and raising both hands towards the Indian dugout. It was a special moment for the captain, who had been waiting for his maiden T20I hundred.Right from the start, Iyer looked in complete control, finding boundaries at will before shifting through the gears as the chase progressed. His innings featured six sixes and a total of 10 boundaries.The chase did not begin without a scare. Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma added 15 runs in the opening over, but West Indies hit back through their spin duo of Akeal Hosein and Roston Chase, who dismissed both openers.That, however, proved to be the extent of West Indies’ resistance. Iyer took charge alongside Ishan Kishan and turned the chase into a one-sided contest. The Indian skipper’s assault ensured the hosts never allowed the required rate to become a concern.
Naman Dhir stars on debut
Earlier, debutant Naman Dhir delivered an impressive all-round performance with the ball, claiming three wickets as India bowled West Indies out for 171 in 19.1 overs.Shai Hope top-scored for the visitors with a 37-ball 52, while Sherfane Rutherford provided the late impetus with a powerful 56 off 34 balls. West Indies made a brisk start, with Hope smashing Mayank Yadav for four boundaries in the second over. Arshdeep Singh then provided India with the first breakthrough by cleaning up Kamil Pooran.The visitors’ innings suffered another setback when Shimron Hetmyer was run out in the sixth over, before Axar Patel dismissed Rovman Powell for a duck. Rutherford briefly shifted the momentum back towards West Indies, taking on Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel during an aggressive 56. Hope also brought up a half-century before falling to Dhir in the 12th over.India then tightened the screws. Kuldeep removed Roston Chase before Dhir struck twice more to finish with impressive figures of 3/31. Kuldeep returned 2/33, while Axar picked up 2/26.With West Indies restricted to 171, Iyer ensured there was never any doubt about the result. His unbeaten century not only sealed India’s eight-wicket victory but also gave the skipper the perfect start to the five-match series as India took a 1-0 lead.
