Shreyas Iyer's maiden T20I ton: 'Came at the right time,' says Pujara
Synopsis
Shreyas Iyer walked in with India reeling at 35 for 2 and walked out with an unbeaten 102 off 43 balls — a maiden T20I hundred that sealed an 8-wicket win and put India 1-0 up in the five-match series. Pujara's verdict: exactly the innings a captain needed to deliver, and a debut from Naman Dhir that hints at a useful new weapon.
Key Takeaways
Shreyas Iyer scored an unbeaten 102 off 43 balls — his maiden T20I century — against the West Indies in Lucknow .
India won by 8 wickets with 32 balls to spare, taking a 1-0 lead in the five-match T20I series.
Cheteshwar Pujara said the knock 'came at the right time' for Iyer as captain.
Debutant Naman Dhir claimed 3 for 31 — the most economical bowling figures for India in the match.
Pujara called Dhir a 'quality bowler' but noted he will need to develop his craft on flat pitches as the series progresses.
Former India batter Cheteshwar Pujara has lauded skipper Shreyas Iyer for his maiden T20I century against the West Indies in Lucknow on 8 October 2026, calling it a knock that arrived precisely when Iyer needed it most. The innings powered India to an eight-wicket victory and a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.
The innings that changed the game
India were in a spot of bother at 35 for 2 when Iyer walked to the crease at the BRSABV Ekana Cricket Stadium. What followed was a masterclass in controlled aggression — an unbeaten 102 off 43 balls that steered the reigning T20 World Cup champions home with 8 wickets and 32 balls to spare.
What Pujara said
'It came at the right time because he was looking for that form. There were not any questions regarding his batting because, when it comes to the T20 format, I think Shreyas is an exceptional cricketer, so there is no doubt about his quality,' Pujara said on JioHotstar.
Pujara noted that Iyer was in complete control from the moment he stepped in — timing the ball cleanly, clearing the infield during the powerplay, and progressively escalating his shot-making once set. 'He knew which bowler he had to target,' Pujara added, emphasising that a captain leading by example sends a powerful message to younger members of the squad.
Naman Dhir impresses on debut
Pujara also reserved praise for batting all-rounder Naman Dhir, who impressed on his T20I debut with figures of 3 for 31 — the most economical bowling performance for India in the match. 'It was good to see that he was using his cricketing intelligence. He picked up three wickets, but before that he got hit for a six, so he was trying to change his line, he was trying to change his length and was varying his pace really well,' said Pujara.
He described Dhir as a 'quality bowler' who went beyond the routine offerings expected of a part-timer, using variations in line, length, and pace to keep West Indies batters guessing.
Room to grow, says Pujara
While encouraged by the debut display, Pujara struck a measured note on Dhir's development. He acknowledged that the Lucknow pitch offered some assistance and that the next challenge for Dhir will be replicating those performances on flat decks. 'You can't expect him to bowl four overs in each and every game, but he's definitely improving and is showing that he can be a decent bowler in a T20 format,' Pujara observed.
With four matches still remaining in the series, both Iyer's form and Dhir's emergence give India fresh momentum heading into the remaining games.
Point of View
When the team needed runs, reinforces his standing with both selectors and a young dressing room. Pujara's endorsement carries weight, but the more telling story is Naman Dhir's debut — a part-time bowler who out-thought professional batters with variations rather than raw pace. If Dhir can replicate that on flat tracks, India may have found a genuine X-factor option in the middle overs, a slot that has historically been a weakness in their T20I bowling plans.
NationPress
8 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Shreyas Iyer score against the West Indies in Lucknow?
Shreyas Iyer scored an unbeaten 102 off 43 balls — his maiden T20I century — as India chased down the target with 8 wickets and 32 balls to spare at the BRSABV Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow.
What did Cheteshwar Pujara say about Shreyas Iyer's innings?
Pujara said the century 'came at the right time' for Iyer, noting that the captain was in complete control throughout — timing the ball well during the powerplay, targeting specific bowlers, and setting a strong example for younger players in the squad.
How did Naman Dhir perform on his T20I debut?
Naman Dhir took 3 wickets for 31 runs on T20I debut, making him India's most economical bowler in the match. Pujara praised his use of cricketing intelligence — varying line, length, and pace — calling him a 'quality bowler'.
What is the current score in the India vs West Indies T20I series?
India lead the five-match T20I series 1-0 after winning the first game in Lucknow by 8 wickets. Four matches remain in the series.
What does Pujara think Naman Dhir needs to work on?
Pujara said Dhir benefited from some pitch assistance in Lucknow and that he will need to develop the art of bowling on flat pitches as the series progresses. He added that improvement will come with experience.
