Shreyas Iyer's maiden T20I ton powers India to 8-wicket win over West Indies
Synopsis
Shreyas Iyer's unbeaten 102 off just 43 balls — the second-fastest T20I hundred against West Indies — dismantled the chase in 14.4 overs, handing India a crushing 8-wicket win in Lucknow. Debutant Naman Dhir added a perfect subplot: 3 wickets in his very first T20I, the third-best debut figures by an Indian spinner. India arrived exhausted from ODI travel; they left with a statement win.
Key Takeaways
Shreyas Iyer scored an unbeaten 102 off 43 balls — his maiden T20I century and highest score in the format.
India chased down 172 in just 14.4 overs to win by eight wickets in the first T20I at Lucknow .
Iyer's ton came off 42 balls — the second-fastest T20I hundred against West Indies, behind Tim David's 37-ball effort in 2025.
Debutant Naman Dhir claimed 3/31 from four overs — the third-best bowling figures by an Indian spinner on T20I debut .
India bowled West Indies out for 171 and completed the chase in under 15 overs , despite travel fatigue after a 2-1 ODI series win .
Captain Shreyas Iyer struck a sensational unbeaten 102 off 43 balls — his maiden century in T20 International cricket — as India crushed West Indies by eight wickets in the first T20I of the series at the BRSABV Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow, on Tuesday, 6 October. Debutant Naman Dhir made an equally striking impression with the ball to set up India's dominant victory.
Iyer's Historic Innings
Chasing 172, India cantered home in just 14.4 overs, with Iyer's knock standing out as the centrepiece of the chase. His century arrived off just 42 balls, making it the second-fastest T20I hundred against West Indies — behind only Australia's Tim David, who reached three figures in 37 balls in 2025. It was also Iyer's highest individual score in the format.
'Dreams do come true,' said Iyer, who was adjudged the Player of the Match. 'Was thinking about my first century, and dreams do come true. Winning tastes different. If it is your day, win the match for the team. Overall, it was a comprehensive performance. If we continue with the same mindset, we will be one of the most destructive teams in T20.'
Dhir's Debut Brilliance
Naman Dhir, playing his first T20I, returned figures of 3/31 from four overs as India bowled West Indies out for 171. His haul ranks as the third-best bowling figures by an Indian spinner on T20I debut. Iyer praised Dhir's attitude and composure: 'Dhir wanted to bowl in crucial moments. Capitalised on the turn; I love his attitude.'
Fatigue No Excuse for India
The first T20I came on the back of an exhausting schedule — India had just concluded a three-match ODI series against the same opposition, which they won 2-1, and the squad reportedly dealt with significant travel fatigue. Iyer acknowledged the challenges but said the team refused to use jet lag as a reason to underperform. 'After the exhausting travel, I didn't realise where I was. Every day I need to wake up like this! Bowling first helped us a lot. We just didn't look at jet lag as an excuse,' he said.
What's Next
With the series opener firmly in India's favour, the focus shifts to the remaining matches of the T20I series. If Iyer's side can maintain this intensity and clinical approach, they look well-placed to extend their dominance against the West Indies. The next encounter will be closely watched to see whether Dhir can consolidate his debut form and whether India can sustain this level of batting aggression across the series.
Point of View
He chose to anchor the chase himself and produced one of the format's more electric innings in recent memory. Naman Dhir's debut figures are the subplot worth watching: India has a habit of blooding spinners in home-like conditions, but Dhir's willingness to bowl in pressure overs on debut suggests genuine temperament. The real question after a one-sided opener is whether West Indies can regroup — or whether this becomes a series defined entirely by India's batting depth.
NationPress
7 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Shreyas Iyer's score in the first T20I against West Indies?
Shreyas Iyer scored an unbeaten 102 off 43 balls in the first T20I against West Indies in Lucknow on 6 October. It was his maiden T20I century and his highest individual score in the format, earning him the Player of the Match award.
How fast did Iyer reach his T20I century?
Iyer reached his century off just 42 balls, making it the second-fastest T20I hundred against West Indies. Only Australia's Tim David has been quicker against the same opposition, reaching three figures in 37 balls in 2025.
How did Naman Dhir perform on his T20I debut?
Naman Dhir took 3 wickets for 31 runs from four overs on his T20I debut, helping bowl West Indies out for 171. His figures are the third-best by an Indian spinner on T20I debut.
By how much did India win the first T20I against West Indies?
India won the first T20I by eight wickets, chasing down 172 in just 14.4 overs at the BRSABV Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow.
How had India performed before the T20I series against West Indies?
India had just completed a three-match ODI series against West Indies, winning it 2-1, before the T20I series began. The squad reportedly dealt with significant travel fatigue heading into the first T20I.
