Hooda saves the Blues as India takes 1-0 lead.
The 1st T20 between India and Ireland ended in a happy note for the Men in Blue as India managed to keep an unbeaten record against Ireland in the rain curtailed T20 match. This was India's first match under Hardik Pandya's captaincy.
India wins a toss finally.
After losing 5 consecutive tosses, Hardik Pandya finally won a toss and put Ireland to bat on a green pitch with clouds hovering all around.
Wickets tumble for Ireland upfront.
The rain delay meant that the game was shortened to a 12 over affair. Ireland had a disastrous start. They lost Balbirne in the very first over for a duck. The next over saw Hardik remove Stirling for 4. Avesh wrapped off the powerplays with the 3rd wicket as Delany was out for 8.
Umran debuts and Irish fightback.
Harry Tector the young all-rounder started of the Irish fighback as he hit Axar Patel for 2 boundaries. Umran Malik the most anticipated debutant of the year went for 18 runs in his first over.
Chahal gets his man as Ireland finish strong.
Yuzvendra Chahal who was the most economical bowler for India finished with 1 for 11 as he got the wicket of Lorcan Tucker against the run of play. Ireland however finished strong at 108/4 with Tector scoring 64 off 33.
Kishan goes from the word "go" but falls soon.
Chasing 109, India opened with Ishan Kishan and Deepak Hooda as Ruturaj Gaikwad got a niggle. Kishan became the aggressor as India scored a run rate of 10. Kishan however was dismissed as he tried to over accelerate. Suryakumar Yadav who was making a comeback from injury too fell for a first ball duck as Craig Young scalped 2 in 2.
Hardik and Hooda joins forces as India sails through.
Skipper Hardik Pandya walked in next and joined hands with Deepak Hooda who was striking it clean. The duo put 64 runs in next 5 with Hardik striking at 200. By the time Hardik gets out, India had already made the match their own. Hooda put on the finishing touches as India chased down the target in 9.2 overs.
Brief Scores:
Ireland: 108/4 (12)
Tector: 64 (33).
Chahal: 11/1 (3).
Bhubaneswar: 16/1 (3).
India: 111/3 (9.2)
Hooda:47* (29).
Kishan: 26 (11).
Hardik: 24 (12).
Young: 18/2 (2).
MOM: Yuzvendra Chahal.