IRE Vs IND Review- The Indian cricket team’s focus is primarily on their final Test match against England and the limited over series coming after it, but the second string side has done their job against Ireland in the 2 match T20I series winning both of them. It was a good opportunity for the Men In Blues to check their bench strength and they gave number of talents their international debut. Recently concluded IPL has given BCCI selectors another great captaincy option in Hardik Pandya after he guided GT to their maiden title. Hardik di get his chance to lead India in this series and he did it very well.
After clinching first win chasing, India posted a record first innings total on the board in the second game. Deepak Hooda’s brilliant maiden ton helped India post 225 on the board. At the halfway stage of the game, no one would have thought that the match will be as close as it was after Ireland fought back really well in the second innings. India managed to hold their nerves at the death to secure a 4 run win at The Village in Ireland.
Let’s look at the major positives from this IRE Vs IND series-
Samson proves his worth in the second IRE Vs IND T20 match
After being dropped in the T20I series against South Africa at home, Samson came back into the side in this series and showed his worth. In the series decider, first choice opener Ruturaj Gaikwad got injured which gave Samson a perfect opportunity. The wicket keeper batsman smashed a 42 ball 77 and built a record highest partnership with Deepak Hooda for India adding 176 runs. Samson was not in the best of forms in the IPL but this innings will certainly help him in future to get selected in upcoming matches and maybe in the T20 World Cup.
Deepak Hooda rises at the international stage
After smashing match winning 47 in the first game, Hooda was on song in this match as well. Coming in at number 3, Hooda completely dominated Irish attack and smashed 104 from 57 balls, his first ton in India colors. Hooda became only the fourth Indian to smash a T20 international hundred after Rohit Sharma, Suresh Raina and KL Rahul. In the first game he opened the innings in favorable bowling conditions and talking about it he says he felt like a warrior in the middle to play for his country.
“I’ve never opened in an international game, but being a top-order batsman, you have to cope up to the challenges and you don’t have any option.
“And if you do not have any option, then why do not you go there like a warrior. That is how I think, and things turned in my way. I’m happy about that,” said Hooda after the match.
“To be honest, yes it is difficult to find a spot in the Indian team and then staying there. But at the same time when you’re playing in India colours, that time you never think about yourself, you think about the team.
“That is what I think about on the ground ‘How can I contribute to the team in that situation’. I do not think more than that, try to keep things simple. Yes, it is a matter of pride for me that I’m playing for India, no matter if am scoring or not,” said Hooda.
Hardik – the new ‘captain COOL’
BCCI is clearly thinking about making Hardik Pandya as captain in upcoming years and this series was a test for him. This has been a remarkable year for the all rounder. Hardik won the IPL as captain and now he wins this T20 series 2-0 for India. He has now become the 9th player to lead India in T20 cricket.
