India vs Ireland, 2nd T20I: Ireland Bowl First, Siddarth Kaul Debuts

Ireland won the toss and decided to field first against India in the second T20 International at The Village, Dublin.

Here is what the captains said:

Gary Wilson:

“Slightly different wicket, looks different from the other pitch, a bit more grass. We’ll have a bowl. (Where things went wrong) Obviously, the experience. We took seven wickets and if we can play their spinners better, we have a chance. One change – Porterfield comes in for Pynter.”

Virat Kohli:

“Slightly different wicket, looks different from the other pitch. We’ll have a bowl. Obviously, the experience. The spinners took seven wickets and if we can play them better, we have a chance.”

Preview:

While Ireland were not expected to win against India, they were at least expected to give the Men in Blue a tough fight in their own backyard. However, the hosts fared poorly in the series-opener. Barring the toss, nothing went they way as India thrashed them by 76 runs. The Irish bowlers struggled to contain the Indian openers Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma. The duo smashed five sixes apiece and enterprising half-centuries to lay the foundation for a huge total by adding 160 runs.

Peter Chase (4-35) had something to cheer about in the final over, taking three wickets in four balls – Mahendra Singh Dhoni (11) holing out in the deep, Rohit was clean bowled to see Chase on a hat-trick, and then captain Virat Kohli dismissed for a duck soon after. But that did not stop India from posting a massive 208 for five.

In reply, Ireland could only manage 132 for nine. Ireland opener James Shannon (60 off 35) impressed, striking a maiden T20I fifty, but the rest of batting line-up badly struggled against the Indian bowlers.

With the series on the line, Ireland would be desperate to give a performance worth noticing. On the other hand, India will be looking for yet another impressive outing before they travel to England for the much-awaited series.

Playing elevens:

Ireland:

Paul Stirling, James Shannon, William Porterfield, Andrew Balbirnie, Gary Wilson(w/c), Simi Singh, Kevin O Brien, Stuart Thompson, George Dockrell, Boyd Rankin, Peter Chase

India:

Rohit Sharma, Lokesh Rahul, Virat Kohli(c), Suresh Raina, Manish Pandey, Dinesh Karthik(w), Hardik Pandya, Kuldeep Yadav, Umesh Yadav, Siddarth Kaul, Yuzvendra Chahal