A second-string Indian cricket team found no difficulties in getting past the finish line against a spirited Ireland team in the first of their two-match T20I series in Dublin, with Deepak Hooda’s 47 not out overshadowing a brilliant 64 not out from the home team’s Harry Tector on Sunday.
With several of their superstars and regular players preparing for the fifth and final Test match against England, this Indian team captained by Hardik Pandya and coached by former India cricketer VVS Laxman has arrived Ireland to play two T20Is in order to consolidate their preparations for the T20 World Cup to be played in Australia later this year.
While the Indian side is expected to come out winning in both the matches, it was certainly easier said than done against a spirited girl inside in the rain-truncated match which saw teams competing in 12-overs per team contest in Malahide.
Despite a poor start which saw her LinkedIn reduced to 22/3 and 3.5 overs, the home team finished at a competitive 108/4 courtesy a brilliant innings from Harry Tector who dominated the Indian bowlers as if he was playing them every other day in favourable conditions.
The right-handed Harry Tector utilised his experience and knowledge of conditions to the full extent, hitting 3 sixes and 6 fours to make 64 not out from only 33 balls. The other highest score in the Irish innings came from Lorcan Tucker, who made 18 from 16 balls with 2 sixes.
For India, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Hardik Pandya, Avesh Khan and Yuzvendra Chahal took one wicket each but it was their senior bowlers who stood out with splendid numbers. Bhuvneshwar Kumar returned with 3-1-16-1 whereas Yuzvendra Chahal was even better, taking 3-0-11-1.
India were off to a flying start thanks to Ishan Kishan’s aggressive approach, but were pushed on the backfoot by Ireland bowler Craig Young who dismissed the wicketkeeper-batsman and his Mumbai Indians teammate Suryakumar Yadav on two consecutive balls.
Ishan Kishan hammered 2 sixes and 3 fours to make 26 from 11 balls while captain Hardik Pandya scored 24 from 12 balls with 3 sixes and a four, but the star of the Indian chase was makeshift opener but a solid middle-order batsman Deepak Hooda, who made an unbeaten 47 from 29 balls with 6 fours and 2 sixes.
India finished at 111/3 in 9.2 overs, thus winning the contest by 7 wickets and 16 balls to spare. The second and final game of the tour will be played at the same venue on Tuesday.
