IRE vs IND | 1st T20I| Hooda, Chahal guide India to comfortable seven-wicket win in rain-marred encounter

Fans worldwide were glued to their TV screens hoping to see some T20I action on a Sunday evening. It was a typical Irish weather kind of a day, as it kept drizzling for brief moments. 

However, after much waiting, the first T20I between India and Ireland did go ahead as planned. The fixture was reduced to a 12-overs format, as the play began almost 140 minutes from its scheduled time.

India claimed a comfortable seven-wicket victory over the hosts, courtesy of a brilliant knock from Deepak Hooda, and a masterclass bowling display by Yuzvendra Chahal. Ireland deserve some credit here, given that they did put up a reasonable first innings total on the board. 

The hosts managed to score 108 runs from their 12 overs, with Harry Tector being the pick among the batters. The middle order batter scored an unbeaten knock of 64 runs off just 33 balls.

The Men in Blue started off the fixture on the front foot, with two wickets in as many overs. Bhuvneshwar Kumar cleaned up skipper Andrew Balbirnie in the first over, whereas Hardik Pandya found the back of the dangerous Irish batter Paul Stirling. Harry Tector held the innings together, batting right through till the end. He ended the innings with a flurry of runs, taking 17 runs off Avesh Khan’s final over.

Yuzvendra Chahal was at his absolute best today, conceding just 11 runs in three overs. He picked up the wicket of Lorcan Tucker and did not shy away from tossing the ball up. The 31-year-old spinner was also awarded the player of the match award. 

Bhuvneshwar Kumar also carried on his form from the South Africa series, conceding 16 runs in three overs whilst picking up a wicket. Umran Malik was handed his much-anticipated debut. The youngster surely did not have a memorable one, conceding 14 runs in his only over.

The chase proved relatively straightforward for the visitors, as Ishan Kishan hit it off from the word go. The left-handed batter played an entertaining cameo, before being dismissed for 26 runs off just 11 balls. Deepak Hooda was promoted to the top of the order alongside Ishan Kishan, and he grabbed the opportunity with both hands.

The all-rounder lasted for the entirety of the innings, scoring an unbeaten knock of 47 off 29 balls. Hardik Pandya also got himself among the runs, scoring 24 at a strike rate of 200. 

Suryakumar Yadav who makes his return to the Indian side after an injury layoff was dismissed for a rather surprising ‘golden duck.’ Nevertheless, India won the encounter with more than two overs to spare.

Hardik Pandya’s first match as Indian skipper ended on a positive note. The visitors will now look to seal the deal in the second T20I on Tuesday, which will be again played at the same venue.

India is expected to make a host of changes for the final T20I, given that they have arrived with a huge squad. Sanju Samson, Harshal Patel and the rest could earn themselves a spot in the playing 11 on Tuesday.

Brief Scores:

Ireland: 108-4 (12 overs)

Harry Tector 64* (33), Lorcan Tucker 18 (16); Yuzvendra Chahal 1/11 (3 overs)

India: 111-3 (9.2 overs)

Deepak Hooda 47* (29), Ishan Kishan 26 (11); Craig Young 2/18 (2 overs)

India won by 7 wickets and 16 balls to spare