The second T20I between India and Ireland proved to be a run feast for the visiting side. Having a lead of 1-0 in the two T20I series, India captain Hardik Pandya decided to bat first after winning the toss on June 28, 2022.
India made three changes for the second T20I against Ireland - Ruturaj Gaikwad continued his recovery from a niggle and hence Sanju Samson was called up; Harshal Patel was brought in place of Avesh Khan while Ravi Bishnoi was given an opportunity as India rested Yuzvendra Chahal.
Ishan Kishan was the first wicket to fall, for 3 runs only. Then Sanju Samson was joined by Deepak Hooda in the middle and carnage followed. The duo added 176 runs for the second wicket as Ireland's bowlers looked hapless against the two batters.
Sanju Samson scored his maiden T20I fifty and got out on 77 in 42 balls with 9 fours and 4 sixes. Hooda, who also had completed his maiden T20I fifty, bettering his 47* in the first T20I, carried on to hammer the Irish bowlers.
He completed his century, his first in T20Is and second in the T20 format, in 55 balls. He fell for 104 runs with 9 fours and 6 sixes to his name. Suryakumar Yadav followed for 15 runs, while Dinesh Karthik and Akshar Patel scored golden ducks.
In the end, India managed to score 225/7 in 20 overs, as Hardik Pandya remained unbeaten on 15*. For Ireland, Mark Adair with 3/44 was the pick of the bowlers.
The cricket fraternity was all praises for Deepak Hooda as he became the 4th Indian to score a century in T20Is after Rohit Sharma (4), KL Rahul (2), and Suresh Raina.
Here are a few tweets:
