IND vs IRE: Under the leadership of Hardik Pandya, who displayed a solid all-round show, India registered a 7-wicket win over Ireland in a rain-curtailed game on Sunday in Dublin and took a 1-0 lead, with the second and last T20I of the series to be played on Tuesday.
Pandya won the toss and elected to field first before, because of rain, the match was reduced to 12-over-a-side. But India needed 9.2 overs to chase down the target of 109 that the hosts had given them. India handed a debut to speedster Umran Malik however, he conceded 14 runs in the only over he bowled while Ireland also handed a T20I debut to seamer Conor Olphert, who conceded 18 in his 2 overs.
Bhuvneshwar and Pandya removed the two Irish openers – the dangerous Paul Stirling and skipper Andrew Balbirnie – in the first couple of overs before Avesh dismissed Delany in the fourth.
22-year-old Harry Tector then commanded Ireland’s innings with some terrific power-hitting and classy shots, scoring 64 runs off 33 balls, smashing 6 fours and 3 sixes to take Ireland to above 100.
DOMINANCE AT ITS BEST
Explosive performances from the batters helped
win the 1st T20I comfortably
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) June 26, 2022
win the 1st T20I comfortably 
Pandya-Hooda six-hitting show blows away Irish
In reply, Ishan Kishan blazed away with a fire-cracking start, whacking 26 runs off 11 balls before Craig Young got rid of Kishan and Suryakumar on consecutive deliveries. For some reason – perhaps because of an injury – Ruturaj Gaikwad didn’t open with Kishan and didn’t come out to bat today.
It was Deepak Hooda who opened with Kishan. At 30/2 and Hooda barely getting going on, Ireland would have hoped to keep the contest alive till the last. However, Hardik Pandya launched an assault straightaway before Hooda joined in too as the pair effectively sealed the game by the time Pandya was dismissed on the last ball of the 8th over.
The skipper walloped 3 sixes and one four in his 12-ball 24-run stay while Hooda remained unbeaten on 47 off 29 balls, stroking 6 fours and 2 sixes. Hooda and Pandya conjured a stand of 64 runs in 32 balls, virtually sealing the deal for the visitors.
Twitter was abuzz with India’s comfortable win with a number of positives.
Here are some of the best tweets:
Hardik win percentage as Indian captain : 100
— Manya (@CSKian716) June 26, 2022
India under Captain Hardik Pandya successfully ward off the Dublin attack.
Belfast being prepped now.
— Alagappan Vijayakumar (@IndianMourinho) June 26, 2022
Chalo, Hooda cashes in on the opportunity to open. Good night.
— Saurabh Malhotra (@MalhotraSaurabh) June 26, 2022
Good win. Loved the intensity with which Team India played. #IREvIND pic.twitter.com/oZpnBT7ngq
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) June 26, 2022
— Ishan Yadav Mahal (@BeingIshanCric) June 26, 2022
A good partnership by @HoodaOnFire and @hardikpandya7 takes India home
HUM JEET GAAAAAAYYEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE, HUM JEET GAYE!!!!!!!!!!!! #IREvIND #Lagaan
— North Stand Gang – Wankhede (@NorthStandGang) June 26, 2022
First win for Hardik Pandya as a captain in International cricket.
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) June 26, 2022
Good win. Loved the intensity with which Team India played. #IREvIND pic.twitter.com/oZpnBT7ngq
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) June 26, 2022
Let’s get a good start with the ball, boys
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) June 26, 2022
Also Read: IND vs IRE: Ashish Nehra Explained Why Deepak Hooda Was Picked Over Sanju Samson
