Shreyas Iyer’s Blistering Ton, Naman Dhir’s Three-For Hand India Eight-Wicket Win

Captain Shreyas Iyer smashed a historic unbeaten 102 off 43 balls, while debutant Naman Dhir claimed three wickets as India defeated West Indies by eight wickets in the first T20I at the BRSABV Ekana Cricket Stadium here on Tuesday.

Chasing 172, India reached 172/2 in only 14.4 overs to take a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.

Iyer completed his maiden T20I century in 42 balls, registering the fastest hundred by an Indian against West Indies in the format.

His century also made him only the third Indian captain to score a men’s T20I hundred. He joined Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav in achieving the feat.

Iyer surpassed his previous T20I best of 80 not out and struck his 11th half-century from 28 balls.

India lost Abhishek Sharma for 21 and Sanju Samson for 11 during the powerplay, but Iyer maintained the tempo.

Ishan Kishan joined him, and the pair added 137 runs from 68 balls. Kishan scored 37 off 27 balls and completed 3,000 international runs during the chase.

Earlier, Dhir made an immediate impact on debut, returning 3/31 from four overs as India dismissed West Indies for 171 in 19.1 overs.

Shai Hope led the visitors with 52, while Sherfane Rutherford struck 56 off 31 balls. West Indies reached 44/3 after six overs before Hope and Rutherford rebuilt the innings.

Hope’s dismissal for 52 triggered another collapse as Kuldeep Yadav claimed two wickets in successive overs. Dhir removed Romario Shepherd and Shamar Springer to complete his three-wicket haul.

Axar Patel also impressed with 2/26, while Kuldeep returned 2/33. Arshdeep Singh and Mayank Yadav claimed one wicket each.

Brief Scores: West Indies 171 all out in 19.1 overs (Rutherford 56, Hope 52; Dhir 3/31, Axar 2/26) lost to India 172/2 in 14.4 overs (Iyer 102*, Kishan 37) by eight wickets.

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