Deepak Hooda scored his master-class maiden century as India escaped a mighty scare before thrashing Ireland by four runs in the second T20 International to seal a two-match series win on Tuesday. Hooda scored 104 off 57 balls and became the fourth Indian to score a T20 International century, while Sanju Samson contributed 77 off 42 balls to give India a mammoth 225 for seven after opting to bat.
Ireland chased through to the final over with captain Andy Balbirnie (60 off 37), Paul Stirling (40 off 18), Harry Tector (39 off 28) and George Dockrell (34 not out on 16), But they were eventually reduced to rookie as India pacer Umran Malik defended 17 runs in the final over.
Opting to bat, Hooda showed that he was on the big stage with his scintillating stroke play, both front and back.
While Hooda was elegant and comfortable on the frontfoot, he was equally good on the backfoot, sending the ball over midwicket for a few sixes.
Hooda decorated his innings with nine fours and six hits over the fence.
He got full support from Sanju Samson, who opened the batting in place of injured Ruturaj Gaikwad, played second fiddle, but took advantage of his opportunity with both hands.
Both Hooda and Samson playing strokes on the ground was a treat for the eyes.
Ireland got off to a fine start to their chase, with Sterling and Balbirnie putting on a 72-run partnership for the opening wicket off just 34 balls. Sterling went hammer and tongs out of the world.
Sterling challenged Bhuvneshwar Kumar, hitting the bowler for a six and three fours, taking 18 runs from the first over. After this, Sterling hit captain Hardik Pandya for a six. The opening pair continued their aggressive run and got Ireland’s 50 for no loss in just four overs.
Leg spinner Ravi Bishnoi clean bowled Sterling in the sixth over, breaking a dangerous 72-run opening stand.
In his next over, Bishnoi was stumped by Ishan Kishan to Balbirnie, but it was a big no ball.
Balbirnie took advantage of the opportunity and brought all the Indian bowlers to all parts of the field to keep Ireland on par with the asking rate.
He was particularly critical of young pacer Malik, sending the pacer’s short delivery over the fence as Ireland made their 100 in nine overs for the loss of two wickets. Balbirnie made his sixth T20 International 50 off 34 balls and continued his attack for some time before being caught by Bishnoi off Harshal Patel.
But Tector, Dockrell and Mark Adair (23 not out from 12 balls) kept Ireland in the hunt till the last ball, requiring the hosts to hit a six to win the match and draw the series. However, Adair could only manage one run as Malik lived up to his captain’s call.
Earlier, India did not have a good start as they lost Ishan Kishan (3) early. The left-handed opener once again squandered an opportunity, getting Lorcan Tucker behind the stumps in the third over off Mark Adair. Hooda and Samson shook hands and the two batted with ease while facing two difficult occasions, putting on a 176-run partnership from just 85 balls to lay the foundation for India’s mammoth score. It was one-way traffic after Kishan’s dismissal as Hooda and Samson played with the Irish bowlers and did not let them settle down.
Barring a difficult opportunity, which was dropped by Paul Stirling at extra-off in eight overs, Hooda played a fine knock.
Samson was also given life in the ninth over when leg-spinner Gareth Delany dropped a difficult catch-balled opportunity. Samson also played some delightful strokes, especially on the backfoot during his half-century. However, Adair got him clean bowled in the 17th over.
Hooda scored his maiden T20I century in 55 balls and joined the elite club of only four Indian centuries in the format, alongside the likes of Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul and Suresh Raina.
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Once Hooda was dismissed for a team score of 212, Surya Kumar Yadav (15) and captain Hardik Pandya (13 not out) tried to accelerate the scoring but were unsuccessful as India posted just 14 runs in the last two overs. In addition to losing three wickets.
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