India vs West Indies: Shreyas Iyer scored his first T20 international century to lead India to an eight-wicket win over the West Indies. The match was played in Lucknow. India chased down 172 in just 14.4 overs. Iyer finished unbeaten on 102.
India’s spinners set up the win. They took eight wickets between them. Axar Patel bowled a double-wicket maiden in the powerplay. Kuldeep Yadav took two wickets. But the surprise package was debutant Naman Dhir. He took 3 for 31. Every time he was hit for a six, he came back with a wicket on the next ball. That happened three times.
The West Indies batted first and scored 171. Shai Hope and Sherfane Rutherford both made fifties. At one point, West Indies were 100 for 3 in 11 overs. They were looking for a big finish. But Dhir and the other spinners slowed them down. The West Indies fell short of what they wanted.
India’s chase did not start smoothly. Both openers, Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson, were out early. India were 36 for 2 in four overs. But Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer steadied the innings. They attacked the bowlers and kept the score moving. By the end of the powerplay, India were 62 for 2.
After that, Iyer took over. He scored 57 runs off the next 18 balls he faced. He hit six sixes in that stretch. He took 24 runs off Matthew Forde in the 14th over. Kishan played the supporting role and rotated the strike. Iyer reached his century with a flat six. It was his second hundred in Lucknow this year, but his first in T20 internationals.
This was India’s 10th straight win in T20Is. West Indies captain Shai Hope lost another toss. It was his fourth lost toss of the tour. Iyer has now won 14 out of 17 tosses as India’s captain. India will look to continue their winning run in the next match.
India vs West Indies: Naman Dhir Makes Dream T20I Debut With Historic 3-31 Spell
Naman Dhir made his T20I debut for India in Lucknow. Most people know him as a hard-hitting batter. But on Tuesday, his bowling did the talking. He took 3 for 31 against the West Indies. His spell helped India win by eight wickets.
Something strange happened during his spell. Three times, a West Indies batter hit him for a six. Each time, Dhir got that same batter out on the very next ball. Shai Hope reached his fifty with a six off Dhir. Next ball, Hope was caught at deep midwicket. Romario Shepherd and Shamar Springer also hit Dhir for a six. Next ball, they were caught at long-off and long-on, respectively. Only one other bowler in men’s T20I history has done this three times in one match.
Dhir did not get scared after being hit. He kept giving the ball flight. He changed his pace and his angle. Ishan Kishan, who plays with Dhir at Mumbai Indians, said he was surprised. He said Dhir looked like a part-timer at MI. But on Tuesday, his seam position and his confidence stood out. Kishan said Dhir has clearly worked on his bowling.
Captain Shreyas Iyer also praised him. He said Dhir wanted to bowl in important moments. He noticed the ball was turning and used that well.
Dhir said he has always practised bowling as much as batting. He said people may not have seen it, but he puts in the same work. He does not see himself as only a batting all-rounder. He said his batting is a plus, but he works hard on bowling too.
This was a good chance for Dhir. Washington Sundar was taken out of the T20I squad to prepare for the New Zealand Tests. That opened a spot for someone who can bat lower down and also bowl a few overs. Dhir filled that role well.
Mumbai Indians bought him for ₹20 lakh in 2024. They kept him for ₹5.25 crore the next season. Last month, he scored 173 off 64 balls in the Sher-e-Punjab T20 League. That helped him get selected for India.
When he got the call-up, he called his father first. He said his father was emotional. Dhir said playing for India is a big deal for him and for his small town.
FAQs
Q. Who scored his maiden T20I century for India?
A. Shreyas Iyer scored 102 not out.
Q. By how many wickets did India beat the West Indies?
A. India won by eight wickets.
Q. How many wickets did Naman Dhir take?
A. Dhir took 3 for 31 on debut during India vs West Indies.
Q. Who scored fifties for the West Indies?
A. Shai Hope and Sherfane Rutherford scored fifties.
Q. How many straight T20I wins has India recorded?
A. India has won 10 straight T20Is.
Get the Latest Cricket Updates at IceCric.News. Also, Follow Our Social Media for live updates on Facebook and Instagram.
