IND vs IRE, 1st T20I Review: Hooda, Hardik guide India to victory
India defeated Ireland by seven wickets in the opening T20I fixture curtailed by rain at The Village in Dublin. Courtesy of this emphatic win, Hardik Pandya’s men take a 1-0 lead in the two-match T20I series.
Catastrophe hit the expectant crowd at the venue as rain interrupted the proceedings after the toss. A game was looking unlikely as it downpoured in Dublin. Fortunately, the menacing rain did go away and the match was reduced to 12 overs per side. India won the toss and chose to bowl first on what seemed like a belter of a pitch.
Bhuveneshwar Kumar opened the bowling for India and dismissed Irish captain Andy Balbirnie for a duck with a peach of an inswinging delivery that hit the top of his off stump. Hardik Pandya and Avesh Khan picked up a wicket apiece in their first overs as the hosts were in deep trouble at 22/3 after the powerplay.
Harry Tector showcased his batting abilities as he first hit Axar Patel for a couple of boundaries, and then turned Umran Malik’s much-awaited debut into a nightmare with a 14-run first over. The Irishman scored a masterful 64 off 32 deliveries as Ireland posted 108/4 in their 12 overs.
The total was never seemed troublesome as Ishan Kishan came out all guns blazing with an 11-ball 26 before being knocked over by Craig Young. Suryakumar Yadav didn’t last long on his return as he was caught plumb in front on his very first ball. Hardik Pandya and Deepak Hooda joined hands after that slight bobble and stitched a 64-run stand for the third wicket to put the result beyond any doubt. While Pandya was dismissed after scoring 24 off 12 deliveries, India eventually crossed the line in 9.2 overs.
Top Performers of the match
Deepak Hooda
Hooda finally got his opportunity in the playing XI and he was sent in to open the innings alongside Ishan Kishan in a reshuffled batting order. He struggled in the early part of the innings against the swinging ball, but once he got his eye in, there was no stopping him. Hooda finished with an unbeaten 47 off 29 deliveries as he saw India over the finishing line in the series opener.
Yuzvendra Chahal
Yuzvendra Chahal’s spin mastery was on show in the first T20I as he had the Irish batters on the ropes with his trickery. The batters failed to hit the leggie for a single boundary as he finished with impressive figures of 1/ 11 in his three overs. He was also adjudged the Player of the Match for his brilliant bowling performance.
What’s next for both sides?
Both sides will clash again in the second and final T20I of the series at the same venue on the 28th of June.
