Team India continued their dominance against Ireland in the second T20I as they humiliated the hosts by 143 runs at the Village, Dublin on Friday (June 29). With this resounding win, the Men in Blue also clinched the T20I series 2-0.
After being put into bat, India rode on KL Rahul and Suresh Raina’s brilliance to post a mammoth total of 213/4 in 20 overs. While Rahul scored a breathtaking 70 off 36 balls (3 fours and 6 sixes), Raina played a scintillating knock of 69 runs in 45 balls (5 fours and 3 sixes). The duo forged a 106-run partnership for the second wicket.
Defending the total, India’s wrist spinners weaved their magic once again to bundle out Ireland at a mere 70 in 12.3 overs. Kuldeep Yadav, the hero of the last match, claimed 3 for 16 in 2.3 overs whereas Yuzvendra Chahal, who was adjudged Man of the Series, scalped 3 for 21 in his 4 overs.
Speaking at the post-match presentation ceremony, India skipper Virat Kohli talked about the headache he is having while selecting the playing XI. In order to test the bench strength, Team India rested the likes of MS Dhoni, Shikhar Dhawan, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah from the second T20I.
“A balanced performance from all departments in both the games. I’m having a headache now about whom to pick, they’ve all done so well with the bat, but it’s a good problem to have. It’s a great phase for Indian cricket, and I’m happy the youngsters are doing well and taking their chances with both hands. Our bench-strength has shown as well, with the guys shining through,” Kohli said after the match.
For the Indian captain, it was just the kind of the start he was hoping for before heading off to the all-important England tour.
“For us the opposition doesn’t matter, and England will be the same. We focus on our strength. The pitches are going to be good, so if they can come hard, we have the batting power to match that. We have two wrist spinners, so that is an advantage for us. If we are at our highest level of intensity, it will be a competitive series which we are looking forward to. England are a quality side but we have the firepower to match them. The benchmark has been set,” he added.
On the other hand, Ireland captain Gary Wilson expressed his disappointment for failing to put up a fight.
“We were in a better place with the ball than last game. We know India are good at chasing, and the wicket wouldn’t have played differently whether we had batted first or bowled first,” Wilson quoted at the post-match presentation ceremony.
“I thought the grass might hold it a little bit today, and it didn’t spin as much as the other day. Plenty of lessons, looking at the way they go about their game. They’re some of the best players in the IPL so we can hopefully go talk to the coaches and come back stronger,” he concluded.
India’s tour of England will commence on Tuesday (July 3), with a T20I affair at the Old Trafford, Manchester.
