In the first T20I match of India’s tour of Ireland 2022, India beat Ireland by seven wickets at the village in Dublin.
After winning the toss, Indian captain Hardik Pandya opted to field first. Unfortunately, the match was interrupted by rain due to which the event was reduced to 12 over per side once it resumed. Although Ireland set a reasonable target for India, it could have been higher had the Andrew Balbirnie-led team not lost wickets early on. Thanks to the likes of Yuzvendra Chahal, Avesh Khan, Hardik Pandya and Bhuvneshwar Kumar who took wickets and restricted Ireland to 108/4 in 12 overs.
In the second innings, India started well as Ishan Kishan (26) took on Ireland’s bowlers from the word go. The southpaw was looking to go solo as he was smashing every delivery that he was facing. On the other hand, opener Deepak Hooda (47*) stood firm and played throughout the innings which ensured India’s victory. Hooda got an opportunity to bat at the top and he did not disappoint. In the end, Captain Pandya (24) also joined the party and hammered at the strike rate of 200. India chased down the target in just 9.2 overs.
For Ireland, after losing three wickets early on in the innings, it was Harry Tector (64*) who took the charge of the game and hit a brilliant unbeaten fifty which helped Ireland to get to 108/4 in 12 overs. Lorcan Tucker (18) also contributed valuable runs in the end.
Yuzvendra Chahal along with Avesh Khan, Hardik Pandya and Bhuvneshwar Kumar scalped one wicket each in the first inning.
Craig Young got two wickets while defending the score and with him, Joshua Little also managed to get one.
Yuzvendra Chahal was adjudged Man of the Match for his excellent spell of three overs in which he only conceded 11 runs and also grabbed a wicket. India, with this victory, have found themselves one up in the two T20I series.
Scorecard:
Ireland: 108/4, Overs 12, Harry Tector 64*, Yuzvendra Chahal 1/11
India: 111/3, Overs 9.2, Deepak Hooda 47*, Craig Young 2/18