Skipper Shreyas Iyer smashed a historic unbeaten 102 off 43 balls, while debutant Naman Dhir made an immediate impact as India thrashed the West Indies by eight wickets in the first T20I at the BRSABV Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on Tuesday.

Chasing 172, India completed the target in just 14.4 overs, with Iyer scoring his maiden T20I century and his highest score in the format. He reached his hundred in 42 balls, recording the second-fastest century against the West Indies in T20Is. Only Australia’s Tim David, who reached the landmark in 37 balls in 2025, has done it faster.

Iyer also registered the fastest T20I century by an Indian against the West Indies, surpassing KL Rahul’s 46-ball hundred in Lauderhill in 2016.

The India captain became only the third Indian skipper to score a century in men’s T20Is, joining Rohit Sharma, who has three centuries, and Suryakumar Yadav, who has one.

Iyer’s unbeaten 102 also surpassed his previous T20I best of 80 not out against England in Bristol earlier in 2026. He brought up his 11th T20I half-century from 28 balls, marking only his second fifty since taking over the captaincy from Suryakumar Yadav.

After India lost both openers early, Iyer took control of the chase and kept the scoreboard moving with a steady flow of boundaries.

India reached 62/2 after six overs, with Abhishek Sharma scoring 21 and Sanju Samson making 11. The early wickets did little to slow Iyer, who continued to attack the West Indies bowlers.

Ishan Kishan provided strong support with 37 off 27 balls as the pair added 137 runs from 68 deliveries to put India firmly in control. Kishan also completed 3,000 international runs during the chase.

India reached 102/2 at the halfway stage and needed 70 runs from 60 balls. Iyer then shifted gears, reached his century from 42 deliveries and finished unbeaten on 102 off 43. Kishan fell after making 37, but India comfortably completed the chase.

West Indies briefly thought they had dismissed Iyer when he clipped a Shamar Springer delivery towards square leg. Matthew Forde rushed in from deep cover and appeared to take a low catch.

The on-field umpire, however, ruled Iyer not out, prompting TV umpire Rohan Pandit to review the effort. Replays showed the ball had touched the ground between Forde’s fingers, confirming that he had not completed the catch.

Earlier, Dhir marked his T20I debut with an impressive 3/31 from four overs, recording the third-best figures by an Indian spinner on debut as India bowled out the West Indies for 171.

The visitors made a brisk start, with captain Shai Hope taking 16 runs from Mayank Yadav’s second over. India responded through Arshdeep Singh and Axar Patel during the powerplay.

Kamil Pooran became the first West Indies wicket to fall after scoring 12. Shimron Hetmyer then ran out for five, while Rovman Powell departed without scoring. The three quick wickets left the visitors struggling at 44/3 after six overs.

Hope then stabilised the innings alongside Sherfane Rutherford. The pair added an unbeaten 38-run partnership to take West Indies to 82/3 at the drinks break, with Rutherford on 18 and Hope anchoring the innings.

Brief scores:

West Indies 171 all out in 19.1 overs (Sherfane Rutherford 56, Shai Hope 52; Naman Dhir 3-31, Axar Patel 2-26)
India 172/2 in 14.4 overs (Shreyas Iyer 102, Ishan Kishan 37; Roston Chase 1-37)