In their 100th T20I, India started the tour with a crushing 76 runs win over Ireland in the first T20I played at Malahide, Dublin just a few moments ago. The Irish Captain Wilson won the toss and decided to field first. Dhawan and Rohit Sharma smashed the Ireland bowlers to help the visitors a massive total. Chasing the target, the Indian bowlers did a great job and won the match easily.
Newly appointed Ireland T20 captain Gary Wilson won the toss and invited India into bat. Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma gave the team a perfect start with attacking stroke play taking on the Ireland bowlers. At the end of 6 overs, India scored 59 for 0.
After the power play overs, both batsmen continued their aggressive intent. Shikhar Dhawan continued the brilliant form that he displayed in the Indian Premier League season 11 with his 7th half century in T20I cricket off 27 balls. Rohit Sharma also played with positive intent and reached his half-century too off 39 balls. It was an amazing batting display by both Indian openers. Shikhar Dhawan was dismissed for 74. Both of them added 160 runs for the opening wicket in 16 overs. Both Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma was in superb form, made batting look easy.
Suresh Raina who was promoted at number 3 was dismissed cheaply for 10 runs. Peter Chase bowled a brilliant last over picking the wickets of MS Dhoni for 11, Rohit Sharma for 97 off 61 balls and Virat Kohli for 0. Hardik Pandya hit 6 off the final ball. The Ireland bowlers fought back very well in the last 4 overs but, India posted a massive total of 208 for 5 in 20 overs. For Ireland, Peter Chase took 4 wickets for 35 runs.
Chasing 209 runs to win, Jasprit Bumrah got the early breakthrough dismissing Paul Stirling for just 1. James Shannon was impressive with his aggressive intent. At the end of 6 overs, Ireland scored 43 for 1. Yuzvendra Chahal came to the crease after the power play overs and dismissed Balbirnie for 11. Shannon reached his half-century off 29 balls.
Kevin O Brien was dismissed for 10. The Ireland batsmen struggled to read the variations of Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal. Shannon was dismissed for 60 off 35 balls.
Kuldeep Yadav took 4 wickets for 21 runs while Yuzvendra Chahal took 3 for 38. Jasprit Bumrah also took 2 wickets for 19. Ireland only scored 132 for 9 in 20 overs. India won the match by 76 runs.
India 208 for 5 in 20 overs (Rohit Sharma 97, Shikhar Dhawan 74, Peter Chase 4/35) beat
Ireland 132 for 9 in 20 overs (James Shannon 60, Kuldeep Yadav 4/21, Yuzvendra Chahal 3/38, Bumrah 2/19 ) by 76 runs.
Ireland captain Gary Wilson said: Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma had a big opening partnership. Spin played a key role in second innings. Simi Singh played the spinners decently in the tour of Netherlands. Rankin and Chase bowled well in the death.
Indian captain Virat Kohli said: Great start to the tour of England. Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan gave the perfect start to the team. In the middle order, we will experiment. In the next game we will play those players who did not play today. We are going to give everyone a go in this series.
Man of the match Kuldeep Yadav said: The pitch was good wicket to bat on. I and Yuzvendra Chahal talk about the pitch conditions. With England playing great limited overs cricket, it will be challenging for me and team to trouble the batsmen. Chahal bowled first and then asked me to bowl slow as the wicket was not easy to hit.
India and Ireland will play the 2nd T20I on 29th June at the same ground.
