Hardik Pandya entered history books right away on his India captaincy debut, and in his first over itself – when he came on to bowl the second over of the first T20I vs Ireland in Dublin on Sunday evening.
As he did with Gujarat Titans in the IPL 2022, Pandya continued to lead by example as India’s captain.
Hardik Pandya created two records in his very first over
First, Pandya became the first-ever Indian captain to bowl in a T20I!! Yes, 8 different men have led India in T20Is – for short and long term – but none of them bowled even a single ball as skippers. Pandya was the first to do so.
The second came on his second legal delivery – when he dismissed destructive Ireland opener Paul Stirling, becoming – of course after the previous record – the first Indian captain to take a wicket in T20Is.
Hardik Pandya becomes the first Indian captain to bowl in men’s T20Is.#IREvIND
— Kausthub Gudipati (backup) (@kstatzz) June 26, 2022
In a rai-curtailed 12-over game, Stirling, who has been one of the best T20 openers since last year, could have caused havoc if India had not dismissed him early. He showed ominous signs by slashing Pandya over covers on the first ball of the over. But the Baroda cricketer stormed back and had the last laugh.
After being thrashed over covers, Pandya went a bit fuller this time to not allow Stirling to get under the ball. Looking for a might slog down the ground, Stirling wanted the ball over mid-off, but could only get the bottom part of the bat. Deepak Hooda jogged back a few steps and took a comfortable catch to give Pandya his wicket as India’s T20I captain.
