India took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match T20I series.
Invited to bat first, the Men in Blue piled up a massive 185/5 in their allotted 20 overs. Ruturaj Gaikwad top scored with 43-ball 58 while Sanju Samson (40 off 26) and Rinku Singh (38 off 21) chipped in with valuable contributions.
Defending the total, Indian bowlers did exceptionally well as a unit to restrict the hosts to 152/8. Jasprit Bumrah (2-15), Prasidh Krishna (2-29) and Ravi Bishnoi (2-37) picked up two wickets each while Arshdeep Singh (1-29) returned with one scalp.
Opener Andrew Balbirnie fought a lone battle with the bat for Ireland, scoring 72 off 52 balls.
Speaking after the game, India skipper Jasprit Bumrah said he was pleased with the team’s performance.
“I am feeling good. Today was a little drier. We thought it would get slower and hence batted first. It is very pleasing,” Bumrah said at the post-match presentation ceremony.
He acknowledged that it’s tough to pick an XI being an Indian captain. “It is tough to pick an XI. Great headache to have. Everyone is eager. Everyone is confident. All of us wanted to play for India. Eventually, everyone has to work their way up,” Bumrah added.
Jasprit Bumrah also highlighted the importance of playing without the baggage of expectations.
“If you play with a baggage of expectation, you are under pressure. You have to keep those expectations aside. You are not doing yourself 100 percent justice if you are playing with so many expectations,” he concluded.
The third and final T20I between India and Ireland will be held in Dublin on Wednesday (August 23).