Rinku Singh played a key role in Team India’s 33-run victory over Ireland in the second T20I in Dublin on Sunday (August 20).

Playing his maiden T20I innings for the country, the southpaw slammed 38 off 21 balls while batting at No. 5 position. His knock, which was studded with 2 fours and 3 sixes, propelled India’s total to 185/5 in 20 overs.

With this match-winning contribution, Rinku certainly repaid the faith of the selectors and the team management. The left-hander was on cloud nine after winning the Player-of-the-Match award.

"Feeling very good. This is my second game and was very much eager to get batting. I tried to replicate what I did in IPL. Yes, I will listen to what my captain [Bumrah] says," Rinku stated at the post-match presentation ceremony.

Rinku, who was speaking with the help of Jasprit Bumrah as the translator, further said that he had been putting in hard work for the last 10 years and is glad to see the positive result now.

"Feels very good. The hard work that I have done, have been working hard for 10 years. The hard work that I did get paid off with such contributions. The first game I batted and could not get any happier," he remarked.

With this victory, the Men in Blue took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match T20I series against Ireland.

The third and final T20I will be played at the same venue in Dublin on Wednesday (August 23).