Hardik Pandya | file photo
India made short work of Ireland in the first T20I as Men in Blue won by seven wickets with more than two overs to spare.
With the bat, Ireland put up a strong performance despite trailing 22/3 at one point. Led by Henry Tector’s 64 off 33 balls, the home team scored 108 runs after 12 overs.
Opening in place of Gaikwad, Deepak Hooda scored an impressive 47 to put India on the line. These players are in focus with the second T20 set to be played on June 28.
So far, this name will not sound so unfamiliar. Tector came on as his team was reeling at 22/3, soaked in all the pressure and putting up a full exhibition in the way of a brilliant 64 off just 33 balls. It was not just his score, but his range of shorts that kept him in focus.
India had one of the best attacks and Tector still slammed them across the ground. He also seems to have influenced the Indian captain, who indicated that Henry might get one as well. IPL contract after such performance.
Entering the final T20I, Tector will be in focus, and he will surely try to replicate his performance from the first T20I.
Though Pandya did quite well with the bat, the ball needed some attention. Pandya opened the attack for India with Bhuvneshwar bowling two overs and conceding 26 runs.
Pandya bowled very well in the IPL, but teams have tried to target the all-rounder in the blue jersey from the very first ball. It will be exciting for Pandya – the bowler will turn things around.
Umran Malik
‘Jammu Express’ made his T20 debut for India in the first T20I. The debut, however, did not go as one expected.
Malik bowled just one over first and conceded 14 runs in it. From what we saw in the first game, Umran was trying to work hard and attack the stumps. He also tried a few yorkers in the first over itself.
Although the start didn’t go as planned, Malik has the potential to turn things around and it will be exciting to see him go at it with the ball vs Ireland.