Deepak Hooda impressed for India once again scoring his maiden century but the visiting side was made to work hard in the second and final T20 international by the Irish team at Malahide in Dublin on Tuesday. India won the contest by 4 runs despite scoring 225/7 batting first with Ireland finishing agonisingly close to the target.
In reply to India’s gigantic total of 225/7 batting first, Ireland finished at 221/5 in their 20 overs with their batsmen producing an impressive performance against one of the top teams in the world to indicate how strong their game can be and how far they have come in the shortest format.
Deepak Hooda was the star performer in the second match scoring 104 from only 57 balls hitting 9 boundaries and 6 sixes to power India to a strong total in the company of wicket-keeper batsman Sanju Samson, who dazzled with a splendid 77 from 42 balls with 9 fours and 4 sixes for himself.
Sanju Samson and Deepak Hooda were involved in a stunning 176-run stand for the second wicket which came from only 87 balls and laid the foundation for a strong total for the Indian side. Mark Adair took 3/42 from his 4 overs while Josh Little and Craig Young claimed 2 wickets apiece.
In their reply, the season opening pair of Paul Stirling and Andy Balbirnie did well to provide Ireland with a sparkling start. Paul Stirling made 40 from just 18 balls hitting 5 boundaries and 3 sixes whereas Andy Balbirnie scored 60 from 37 balls with as many as 7 sixes and 3 boundaries.
Even though Gareth Delany was dismissed for a four-ball duck, Harry Tector scored 39 from 28 balls while George Dockrell and Mark Adair kept the Irish hopes alive right until the final over of the game.
George Dockrell hit 4 sixes and as many fours to make 34 not out from 16 balls whereas Mark Adair remained unbeaten on 23 from 12 balls with 3 boundaries and a six.
This Indian side, captained by Hardik Pandya which is also without several of its regular players, will now travel to England where they will face the home team in the first T20 before the other players — involved in the fifth and final Test at Southampton starting July 1 — will join them.