Player-of-the-Match Shreyas Iyer blazed an unbeaten 102 from 43 deliveries as India cruised to an eight-wicket victory over West Indies during the first T20 International in Lucknow on Tuesday.
Chasing 172 to win, India clinched the win at 172 for two with 32 balls to spare.
The captain’s innings featured 10 fours and six sixes, while he was well supported by Ishan Kishan, who was left unbeaten on 37 from 27 balls, with five fours.
For West Indies, Akeal Hosein and Roston Chase both took one for 37, but as was the case in the preceding One Day International series, the team chasing on the flat wickets produced so far held a distinct advantage.
Earlier, after losing the toss and being sent into bat, West Indies were bowled out for 171 with five balls remaining in their innings.
Kamil Pooran made his debut after a strong showing during the just-concluded Republic Bank CPL season, but was the first of three batsmen to be dismissed during the powerplay.
The opener was bowled for 12 by Arshdeep Singh during the fifth over, before Shimron Hetmyer was run out in the next over for five. Forty-four for two at that stage became 44 for three at the end of the powerplay, shortly after Rovman Powell had been dismissed for a third-ball duck.
Captain Shai Hope continued his good form from the ODI series and brought up his 50 off 36 balls, before perishing for 52 in the 12th over, during an innings which featured six fours and two sixes.
Sherfane Ruutherford injected some momentum into the innings batting at number five with a quickfire 56 from 34 balls, but 15 from Akeal Hosein was the next best score as West Indies batting lineup faltered yet again.
For India, debutant Naman Dhir grabbed three for 31, Axar Patel two for 26 and Kuldeep Yadav two for 33.
(KH)
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