Shreyas Iyer blasted a blistering 102 not out in 43 balls, smashing six sixes and ten fours to lift India to an eight‑wicket victory over West Indies in Lucknow's opening T20I.
The century came on 43 balls, a strike rate of 237.21, and ended a 10‑match drought of scores below 30 that had rattled the captain after his Asian Games outing.
After the slump, Iyer flew back to Mumbai from the Asian Games in Japan, where he was out for 13 and 21 in the semi‑final and final. He sought help from former KKR coach Abhishek Nayar, and the two spent two hours at Iyer's Worli home fine‑tuning grip and backlift.
Nayar explained that the tweak was subtle: "I changed his grip and the initial movement of his backlift." Iyer agreed, saying the conversation "helped me set myself before the delivery" and that "creating momentum and rhythm at the start" paid off.
With the win, India now leads the series 1–0, and Iyer's ton restores his reputation as a match‑winner in the shortest format. The victory also gives India a psychological edge as they head into the next two T20Is.
India will face West Indies again on 27 October in the second T20I at Kanpur, where Iyer will be eager to keep the fire going.