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Shreyas Iyer joins Smriti Mandhana in legendary list after maiden T20I century

Shreyas Iyer etched his name into cricket history with a blistering 102 off 43 balls, becoming the first Indian captain to score a T20I century while chasing. His unbeaten knock at a staggering strike rate of 237.21 propelled India to an eight-wicket victory over West Indies in the opening match of their five-game series, setting the tone for dominance.

Iyer’s rapid-fire century—achieved in just 42 deliveries—also made him the third Indian captain to reach three figures in T20Is, joining Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav, while his pace placed him among the fastest-scoring captains from Full Member nations alongside Sikandar Raza and Harry Brook. The innings marked his maiden T20I hundred after 66 previous matches, completing a rare feat by becoming one of only seven Indian players to score centuries in all three international formats, a list that includes Suresh Raina, Virat Kohli, and KL Rahul.

His partnership with Ishan Kishan accelerated India’s chase of 172, leaving West Indies struggling to contain the onslaught after early wickets had threatened their pursuit. Beyond the individual milestone, Iyer’s performance cemented his status as a match-winner, earning him a Player of the Match award and further solidifying his leadership role in India’s T20 setup.

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