India kicked off their five-match T20I series against the West Indies with an emphatic eight-wicket victory in Lucknow on Tuesday (October 6).
Chasing 172, the hosts rode on skipper Shreyas Iyer’s maiden T20I ton to overhaul the target in just 14.4 overs, taking a 1-0 lead in the series. Iyer smashed 102 not out off 43 balls, striking 10 fours and 6 sixes at a staggering strike rate of 237.21.
Fresh off winning a gold medal at the Asian Games and rushing back to India, Iyer emphasized that the team refused to use travel as an excuse against a highly "destructive" West Indies T20I side.
Despite heavy travel fatigue, the captain quickly adjusted to the conditions at the Ekana Cricket Stadium.
“[Do you feel at home in Lucknow?] Not really. After that exhausting travel, I didn't realize where I was, to be honest. I think every day I just need to wake up like this. But yeah, I adapted quickly to the wicket, to the conditions, and I think bowling first helped us a lot,” Iyer said at the post-match presentation.
“[How did you overcome the travel fatigue?] We just didn't look at it as an excuse. We wanted to come and play as any other cricketer would, and yeah, we saw the excitement of India versus West Indies in the ODIs, how amazing it was. But coming into T20s, we know that they are a destructive side. So for us, it's important that we stuck to the process, and that's what we did today. So great efforts by every individual,” he added.
Shreyas used the word "exultant" to describe his emotions after hitting a whirlwind match-winning century.
“[How special was your first T20I hundred?] Well, definitely exultant. That's the word I would use today, (for the) the performance. And yeah, obviously speaking, I was actually thinking about getting my first century, and it came through. So, you know, I definitely want to say that dreams do come true,” he stated.
Reflecting on the clinical performance, Iyer said winning always tastes different and expressed confidence that India can become one of the most destructive teams in T20 cricket if they continue playing with the same mindset and intent.
“[Do you want to overwhelm opponents like this?] Winning definitely tastes different, and that's what we keep talking about in the dressing room. If it's your day, make sure that you win the match for the team. And today it was me. Previous couple of games, it was the batsmen who finished off the game. So yeah, overall I feel it was a comprehensive performance, and I think if we continue with the same mindset, we will be one of the destructive teams in T20s,” he remarked.
Naman Dhir stepped up brilliantly with the ball on his T20I debut. He picked up 3/31, capitalizing on a turning track after noticing how fellow spinner Axar Patel was finding grip and turn early on.
Commenting on Dhir’s bowling, Iyer said: “Yeah, special player, I must say. Like showing that attitude and approach, wanting to bowl in those crucial moments, he realized that the ball was turning, and then he capitalized on it. So commendable performance by him, and I love his attitude."
Shreyas Iyer concluded by jokingly noting how exhausted the squad was after rigorous travel. He mentioned that both he and Axar (who also took 2/26 in the match) were entirely sleep-deprived and looking forward to a long rest before the next game.
“[Will you get a long sleep tonight?] Looking forward to (it). I'm already sleepy. I could see Axar's eyes as well have become red. So I'm sure all of us are."
(With Cricbuzz Inputs)
