Indian captain Hardik Pandya was delighted after they defeated Ireland by seven wickets in the first T20I at the Village, Dublin on Sunday. Pandya said it was great to start the series with a win. The all-rounder, who was leading the team for the first time in his career, won the toss and decided to bowl first.
But, the start was delayed by persistent rain, and finally, it was a 12 overs/side game. Ireland was put on the backfoot by Indian pacers from the get-go as the home team lost three wickets within the first four overs for only 22 runs.
However, Harry Tector scored a fine knock of 64 runs off just 33 balls as he played with aplomb against the Indian bowlers. Ireland was able to post 108-4 in 12 overs but India chased down the score convincingly in the end.
Ishan Kishan gave a quick start to the team as he scored 26 runs from 11 balls whereas Deepak Hooda scored an unbeaten knock of 47 runs. Hardik Pandya played a fine little cameo of 24 runs off just 12 balls to get his team close to the target.
On the other hand, Umran Malik made his T20I debut for India but leaked 14 runs in the solitary over he bowled. Malik could not hit the right line and length and he was taken for runs by Harry Tector. Pandya revealed why he decided not to give another over to the fast bowler from Jammu and Kashmir.
Pandya said in the post-match presentation, “Great to start a series with a win. For us as a team it’s very important to start with a win. Quite happy with it. He’s been fantastic for his franchise (Umran Malik). But I felt, also had a chat with him, he’ll be more comfortable with the older ball. Ireland batted fantastically, had to go back to our main bowlers. Maybe next game he’ll have a full chance. Some of the shots he played were mindblowing (Tector).”
Furthermore, Hardik Pandya became the first Indian captain to take a wicket in the T20I format.
India will look to continue their good show in the second T20I as the visitors ticked all the right boxes. The tourists will take on Ireland in the second T20I at the same venue on Tuesday.
