India chased 171 in a blitz of 14.4 overs, with Shreyas Iyer smashing an unbeaten 102 off just 43 balls—his maiden T20I century that turned the game around.
The skipper arrived in Lucknow a mere three days after lifting the Asian Games gold in Japan, jet‑lagged but determined. Iyer admitted he barely noticed the fatigue, saying, “I didn’t realise it. Adapted quickly, and bowling first helped. I was actually thinking about getting my maiden T20I century and it came through.”
West Indies were bowled out for 171 by a spell of 3/31 from debutant Naman Dhir, who also racked up a sharp three wickets. Shai Hope’s 52 and Sherfane Rutherford’s 56 off 31 balls kept the West Indies in the hunt, but India’s chase took a dramatic turn when Iyer and Ishan Kishan added 137 runs for the third wicket, pushing the score to a comfortable 171‑over finish.
The win gives India a 1‑0 advantage in the series, and the momentum is now firmly on Indian shoulders. With the next match scheduled for October 6, the team will look to extend the lead and keep the West Indies on their toes. Meanwhile, Iyer’s 102* sends a clear message that the Indian batting lineup is ready for a dominant run in the remaining four legs of the series.