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'He has put one thing to rest' - Aakash Chopra lauds Shreyas Iyer's century in IND vs WI 1st T20I

India clinched a 1-0 lead in the five-match T20I series against West Indies with an eight-wicket victory at Lucknow’s Ekana Cricket Stadium on October 6, 2026, finishing the chase of 172 runs in 14.4 overs with 32 balls to spare. Captain Shreyas Iyer anchored the run chase, remaining unbeaten on 102 off 43 balls – his maiden T20I century and the fastest T20I hundred by an Indian batter against West Indies.

His knock earned him the Player of the Match award and placed him alongside Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav as the third Indian captain to score a T20I hundred.

West Indies were bowled out for 171 in 19.1 overs, with Shai Hope contributing 52 off 37 balls and Sherfane Rutherford adding 56 off 34. India’s bowling attack was led by Axar Patel (2/26) and Kuldeep Yadav (2/33), while debutant Naman Dhir impressed with figures of 3/31.

Early in the chase, India slipped to 35 for 2 after the dismissals of Abhishek Sharma (21) and Sanju Samson (11). Shreyas Iyer then partnered with Ishan Kishan for an unbroken 137-run third-wicket stand, Kishan finishing on 37 not out off 27 balls, to steer India home.

Iyer’s century featured ten fours and six sixes, the final boundary a six off Roston Chase that sealed the milestone.

In the post-match presentation, Iyer reflected, *“Not really, after exhausting travel, I didn't realise. Adapted quickly and bowling first helped.

I was actually thinking about getting my maiden T20I century and it came through. Winning tastes different.

Today it was me who finished off the game.”* He also praised Dhir’s debut, saying, *“I am already sleepy.”*

Former India opener Aakash Chopra lauded the innings, stating, *“Sarpanch sahab, the way he played, this knock was different. This was brutal.

This was domination. Questions were being raised.

When we did the preview yesterday, many viewers asked in the comments section whether Shreyas Iyer is my friend, as I don't talk about him not scoring runs, lacking consistency, and having a low strike rate.”* Chopra added, *“He has just validated that. He has put one thing to rest – that one shouldn't panic too much or overreact.

If someone has done well earlier, he deserves slight respect and a slightly longer rope, and Shreyas just proved that right.”*

Chopra described the innings as *“high-quality batting,”* highlighting Iyer’s boldness, touch, fearlessness, and superior body positioning that allowed access to both sides of the ground.

The victory came just three days after India returned from Japan, where Iyer was part of the Asian Games gold-medal-winning squad.

Iyer said, *“Exultant, that's the word I am going to use. Honestly, I was thinking about getting my first century, and it came true. So, definitely want to say that dreams do come true.*”

This report also draws on coverage from The Times of India, CricketAddictor, Hindustan Times.

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