In doing so, Iyer became the first Indian captain in men’s T20I history to score a century during a run chase. India’s T20I captain Shreyas Iyer etched his name into the record books on Tuesday in Lucknow, producing a breathtaking, unbeaten 102 off just 43 balls against the West Indies.
Iyer’s masterclass marks the first time an Indian captain has scored a century in a run chase in the shortest format. Walking in under pressure, Iyer quickly seized the momentum alongside Ishan Kishan. What began as watchful strike rotation rapidly transformed into a full-scale assault. Iyer targeted both pace and spin with equal authority While Kishan anchored firmly from one end. The crowd erupted into a standing ovation as he brought up his hundred, removing his helmet to take in the historic applause from teammates and opponents alike. However, on a true batting surface in Lucknow, Iyer’s onslaught proved the total was dozens of runs short. The win marks India’s 10th consecutive full T20I victory, reinforcing the team’s commanding form under Iyer’s leadership. Playing XIs: West Indies: Shai Hope (wk/c), Kamil Pooran, Shimron Hetmyer, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd, Matthew Forde, Roston Chase, Akeal Hosein, Shamar Springer, Shamar Joseph India: Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wk), Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer (c), Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Naman Dhir, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Mayank Yadav
Shreyas’ historic knock powered India to a crushing eight-wicket victory in the opening match of the five-match series, hunting down a 172-run target in a mere 14.4 overs with 32 balls to spare at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium. The previous highest by an India captain while batting second in T20Is was 94 not out by Virat Kohli against the same opponent in Hyderabad in 2019. T20I hundreds as India captain 121* – Rohit Sharma vs AFG, Bengaluru, 2024 118 – Rohit Sharma vs SL, Indore, 2017 111* – Rohit Sharma vs WI, Lucknow, 2018 102* – Shreyas Iyer vs WI, Lucknow, 2026 100 – Suryakumar Yadav vs SA, Johannesburg, 2023 Reaching his maiden T20I hundred off just 42 deliveries, Iyer smashed 10 fours and six towering sixes, dismantling the Caribbean bowling attack with calculated aggression. After an explosive cameo from Abhishek Sharma (21 off 10 balls), both he and Sanju Samson fell in quick succession, leaving the hosts in a spot of bother at 35 for 2. The pair mounted an unbroken 137-run partnership off just 67 balls, completely deflating the West Indian bowling unit. Arshdeep Singh struck early blows before a 52 from West Indies skipper Shai Hope provided some resistance, guiding the visitors to a competitive-looking 171.
both of their captaincy hundreds came while setting a target While Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav have previously scored centuries as India’s T20I skipper. Steadying The Ship Before The Storm India’s pursuit had hit a brief wobble early in the powerplay. India’s Dominant Run Continues Earlier, the West Indies were restricted after a disciplined performance by India’s bowling unit.
