Cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar has hailed Shreyas Iyer's unbeaten 102-run innings against the West Indies in the first T20I as a definitive answer to doubters, declaring it a 'strong signal' that the India T20I captain has rediscovered his best form. Speaking on JioStar, Gavaskar also backed Sanju Samson to keep his opening berth despite a first-game dismissal for just 11 runs, urging selectors to resist calls for teenage prospect Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to be rushed into the XI.

The innings that changed the narrative

Iyer's unbeaten century came in a chase of 172 and proved decisive as India sealed an eight-wicket victory. The right-hander reached his half-century off just 28 deliveries and then exploded, smashing the next 52 runs in a breathtaking 15 balls to finish on 102 not out. The acceleration turned what could have been a tense contest into a comfortable win.

What Gavaskar said about Iyer

'It was a sublime knock from Shreyas Iyer. He looked unstoppable, and no matter what lines and lengths the West Indian bowlers bowled, Iyer had an answer to everything. The shots he played were a treat to watch, especially the upper-cut off Romario Shepherd, which showed that he meant business,' Gavaskar said.

The batting great acknowledged that Iyer had endured a difficult run with the bat since taking over as India's T20I captain, even as the team continued to win. 'There had been questions on social media about Shreyas' batting form, and this hundred has silenced all of them. This knock is a strong signal that Shreyas Iyer is back to his best,' Gavaskar added. He noted that Iyer 'took complete control of the run chase and continued to accelerate through the middle overs,' going from 50 to 102 in just 15 balls — a passage of play that effectively ended the contest.

The Sanju Samson question

Samson's first-game dismissal for 11 at the top of the order reignited the debate over whether Sooryavanshi deserves an immediate call-up. Gavaskar was unequivocal in defending Samson, pointing to his record of two half-centuries as an opener against Afghanistan and cautioning against knee-jerk selection decisions.

'One low score does not change anything. Sanju has shown what he can do at the top of the order and he deserves a longer rope. Vaibhav is a special talent, and his time will come, but for now, Sanju is the right man to open in this series against the West Indies. You cannot keep chopping and changing after every game. That only creates insecurity in the dressing room,' Gavaskar stated. He noted that Samson's poor run at the Asian Games came at number three — a different role — and should not be held against his opening credentials.

Bigger picture for India's T20 setup

This is the first T20I of a multi-match series against the West Indies, and India's comfortable win sets a confident tone. Iyer's form is particularly significant given that the side will look to him for middle-order anchoring and acceleration as international T20 cricket builds toward future tournaments. Gavaskar's defence of Samson also reflects a broader debate in Indian cricket about how quickly young talent should be absorbed without disrupting established combinations. The series now moves to its second game, where both men will be keen to consolidate their positions.