Cricket

Shreyas Iyer cites heavy dew as India falls to West Indies in high-scoring T20I

  • Authored By: Sports Now
  • Updated Oct 10, 2026, 07:30 IST

India captain Shreyas Iyer pointed to challenging dew conditions and a batting-friendly surface after West Indies successfully chased down a target of 249 to level the five-match T20I series.

Shreyas Iyer cites heavy dew as India falls to West Indies in high-scoring T20I

India captain Shreyas Iyer has identified the impact of heavy dew and a surface heavily skewed in favour of the batters as the primary reasons behind his side's six-wicket defeat to the West Indies in the second T20I. Despite posting a formidable total of 249, the Indian bowling attack struggled to contain the visitors, who reached the target with nine balls to spare, effectively squaring the five-match series.

Reflecting on the result, Iyer noted that the conditions made it nearly impossible to defend even a high score. He highlighted that the margin for error for his bowlers was razor-thin, as any delivery missing its mark was frequently punished by the opposition. According to the skipper, the presence of dew significantly altered the game's dynamics, rendering the total insufficient despite its magnitude.

West Indies batting brilliance turns the tide

The match was ultimately decided by a commanding partnership between Shai Hope and Sherfane Rutherford, which shifted the momentum firmly into the visitors' camp. Hope anchored the chase with an unbeaten 102 off just 45 balls, while Rutherford provided explosive support with a rapid 84 from 37 deliveries. Iyer was quick to acknowledge the quality of their performance, offering praise for their ability to capitalise on the conditions.

While India saw a strong individual contribution from Sanju Samson, who scored 84, and a notable three-wicket haul from Mayank Yadav, the team could not overcome the late-innings surge from the West Indies. The visitors had initially found themselves in a precarious position at five for two, but the subsequent stand between Hope and his teammates proved to be the decisive factor in the successful pursuit of 249.

Hope reflects on a challenging chase

West Indies captain Shai Hope admitted that the early loss of two wickets made the prospect of chasing such a large target appear daunting. However, he credited the team's focus on building partnerships and taking calculated risks as the key to their recovery. Hope also highlighted the importance of mental preparation and staying grounded, noting that his own success was a result of being ready for the conditions.

The West Indies skipper also made a point to commend Roston Chase for his contribution with the ball on a pitch that offered little assistance to the bowlers. With the series now level, both sides look ahead to the remainder of the contest, with the latest result underscoring the unpredictable nature of the series on surfaces that heavily favour the batting side.