IND VS IRE 1st T20 Match Highlights:
Deepak Hooda and Hardik Pandya starred with the bat as India trounced Ireland in a rain-hit first T20I game of a 2-match series at the Malahide Cricket Club in Dublin.
Sent in to bat, Harry Tector hammered a 33-ball 64 that included six boundaries and three sixes to single-handedly push Ireland from 22 for three to above the 100-mark after the game was reduced to a 12-over-per-side contest due to rain. India chased down the total 109 with 16 balls to spare, with Hooda smashing an unbeaten 47 after Hardik walked back on 24 off 12 balls.
Deepak Hooda, Hardik Pandya shine as India beat Ireland by 7 wickets
The 9th captain for India in T20Is Hardik Pandya opted to bowl first after winning the toss. His decision turned out to be right when India got rid off three of Ireland’s main batters for just 22. In the opening over, Bhuvneshwar Kumar provided India a wicket. While in the second over, skipper Hardik Pandya got a wicket. Then Avesh Khan struck a wicket to put the hosts on backfoot.
However, in the pressure situation, Tector and Lorcan Tucker kept their cool, and took Ireland to a challenging total. They both did a solid 50-run partnership to steady their boat.
Tucker got out after scoring 18, but Harry Tector posted an unbeaten 64 to help Ireland post a total of 108 for four in 12 overs against the mighty India.
The match earlier reduced to a 12 overs a side affair after rain had interrupted proceedings on several occasions.
India then chased down the target in 9.2 overs, scoring 111 for three. Deepak Hooda remained unbeaten with 29-ball 47. While Ishan Kishan scored 26 off 11 balls and Hardik Pandya 24 off 12 balls.
Hooda, who generally plays in middle-order, opened the innings with Ishan Kishan and provided India a destructive start. He returned unbeaten on 47(29).
And with the help of Hooda’s electrifying knock India chase down a challenging 109 in 9.2 overs as the clash reduced to 12 overs a side due to rain.
The second T20 of the 2-match series will take place on at the Castle Avenue in Dublin on June 28.
