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10:10pm A tenth successive win in T20Is for India and captain Iyer has played a statement knock. He's congratulated by his partner Kishan and also by a few West Indies players. The way he changed gears and went on the offensive was a sight to behold. Add to it the situation he walked out in the middle at - 2 for 35 in the third over in India's 172 chase. Didn't have the best start to his T20I captaincy stint but the way India under him have roared back is something. A superb innings and it also showed how much below par West Indies had finished with, even if they believed otherwise.
Sampath says this is Iyer's second successive century at Ekana. Iyer has a crazy record in T20s at Ekana: 335 runs @ 335 average and a strike rate of 200.59. He has made 255 runs without being dismissed in his last three innings here.
Ishan Kishan: "[Iyer] was in a very good touch. Felt better to keep him on strike. By job was easy to get off strike and let him play as many balls as he can. You get to know by how one batter is timing the ball. He looked in very touch, I was not in great touch. Wanted him to keep the momentom going. [Catch] I was not able to see the ball because of lights, had an intution where It might end and got my hands there. These things happen, you won't get some time to prepare sometimes. But when you wear the jersey you have to give it your all."
James: "Not a 200 wicket then? More like a 220 wicket!"
Elvis J: "It is so easy to forget that these two players (Iyer and Kishan) were in trouble with BCCI just couple of years back. Great come back story"
Chan: "Shreyas will feel lot better today , best innings since he has took over the captaincy. Maybe this is the turning point for him personally"
ICYMI: Jaiswal and Rahul in India A squad for red-ball matches in New Zealand
Mustafa Moudi : "One positive about West Indies bolwing was that they conceded just 1 Extra Run (No Ball) and bowled not a Single Wide in the entire innings !!"
Shai Hope, West Indies captain: "We didn't get enough runs in the back end. Were too chaotic in batting. You've got to put runs on the board and defend with witness in the outfield. Sometimes you want a few top-order batters to be bowling. We didn't have enough against India. Setting a target more difficult. Ideally want spinners to bowl eight overs each since we had only two. Needed Chase to do some damage in the back end. So many things in hindsight. Just love batting here. Whenever I get to come here, I love it."
Shreyas Iyer, Player of the Match and India captain: "After the exhausting travel, didn't realise where I was. Everyday I need to wake up like this! Bowling first helped us a lot. We just didn't look at jetlag as an excuse. We saw the excitement of Ind vs WI in the ODIs and how amazing that was. It was important to stick to the process. Exultant! Was thinking about my first century and dreams do come true. Winning tastes different. If it is your day, win the match for the team. Overall it was a comprehensive performance. If we continue with the same mindset we will be one of the most destructive teams in T20. Dhir wanted to bowl in crucial moments. Capitalised on the turn, I love his attitude. I am already sleepy. Axar's eyes had become red as well."
And so, India start the T20Is against West Indies with a massive win. As comprehensive as it can get. Next one is in Ranchi on Friday. Do join us nice and early then. Till then, on behalf our scorers Vairavan and Sudeep, and from my co-commentator Ashish, goodbye and take care. Ciao!
Who made his last professional appearance in the CLT20 2013 final between MI and RR, on this day in 2013? Think, think. And once you've got it, there are five more to think about. Play KNOW YOUR CRICKET.
Chase changes ends
END OF OVER:14 | 24 Runs | IND: 164/2 (8 runs required from 36 balls, RR: 11.71, RRR: 1.33)
- Shreyas Iyer95 (41b)
- Ishan Kishan36 (25b)
- Matthew Forde2-0-39-0
- Akeal Hosein4-0-37-1
END OF OVER:13 | 19 Runs | IND: 140/2 (32 runs required from 42 balls, RR: 10.76, RRR: 4.57)
- Ishan Kishan35 (24b)
- Shreyas Iyer72 (36b)
- Akeal Hosein4-0-37-1
- Roston Chase3-0-29-1
Spirit + Snake + Car + Tail. Makes sense? Unlikely, but you can definitely do better. Play MATCHUP.
