India vs Ireland, 2nd T20I: Twitter Reacts As Men in Blue Crush Hosts To Sweep Series

Continuing their fine form, India crushed Ireland by 143 runs in the second T20I to win the two-match series 2-0. Chasing 214, the hosts were all out for just 70.

For the second game in a row, the Irish batsmen failed to put up a good fight. Any slim hopes of chasing down the massive 214-run target was all but ended when Umesh Yadav dismissed Paul Stirling for a duck in the first over. At the end of the powerplay, they were reeling at 30 for 4.

Two runs later, Kevin O Brien departed too and along with him departed the Irish hopes. The hosts kept on losing wickets at regular intervals and were eventually all out for 70.

Earlier in the game, fifties from KL Rahul and Suresh Raina propelled India to a massive total of 213 for 4.  After the heavy win in the first game, India made two changes to the side – resting Shikhar Dhawan and MS Dhoni and brining in KL Rahul and Dinesh Karthik. And Rahul totally justified the decision.

He and Virat Kohli opened the innings after Ireland invited the Men in Blue to bat first. Kohli failed to get going, departing after scoring just 9. However, Rahul and Raina did not the let the hosts capitalise on the big break. They added 122 runs for the second wicket before Kevin O Brien sent back Rahul. Prior to that, Rahul had smashed 70 off just 36 balls with the help of 3 fours and 6 sixes.

FIFTY!

@klrahul11 is on song here as he brings up his 4th T20I 50 off 28 deliveries.#IREvIND pic.twitter.com/R6DP5xCOcv

— BCCI (@BCCI) June 29, 2018

Rohit Sharma failed to open his account but it did not affect India’s momentum as Raina kept on going strong. The southpaw scored his fifty off 34 balls and went on score 69 off 45 balls. Towards the end, Hardik Pandya slammed 32 off just 9 balls to take the score past the 200-run mark.

FIFTY!

And, here comes the half century for @ImRaina off 34 deliveries.

This is his 5th 50 in T20I cricket.#IREvIND #TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/BgbIyAlfJQ

— BCCI (@BCCI) June 29, 2018

Here is how Twitter reacted to the game:

https://twitter.com/Iam_Furtado/status/1012748195858968576

While playing a team that is much stronger than you and you decide to bowl, this is set to happen. Just because there is a trend to bowl first in T20s, it doesn't mean you have to follow it.

— Bharath Ramaraj (@Fancricket12) June 29, 2018

Getting to be a rout. Ignoring all the homilies being bandied around, very disappointing from Ireland

— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) June 29, 2018

Smart Virat, fielding at such a position that he blocks the cameras for Chahal’s front foot no ball. The other angle’s blocked by the runner. Way to go. For Bumrah too.#IrevInd

— Gaurav Sethi (@BoredCricket) June 29, 2018

First time in T20Is that India have posted 200plus in back to back matches. They score 213 today which is also their fourth highest total in T20Is. #IrevInd

— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) June 29, 2018

Rahul is a special player…India must find a way to keep him in the XI in all three formats. My vote for him to bat at #4 in ODI. #IREvIND #EngvIND

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) June 29, 2018

Ireland showing how not to bowl in the death

— Shubh Aggarwal (@shubh_chintak) June 29, 2018

https://twitter.com/SirJadejaaaa/status/1012729643345072128

Raina in good form is big asset for India with his experience & explosive strokes. Given the competition must hold on to his place in team!

— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) June 29, 2018

Waiting for Pandey ji to accelerate. pic.twitter.com/WxIQ4g9n6v

— Nikhil ? (@CricCrazyNIKS) June 29, 2018

No Irish Bowler was able to get Manish Pandey's wicket !
Biggest Gain for India this series.. #IREvIND

— Chandler Bing (@SarcasmChamp) June 29, 2018

Kohli's average in Europe drops further. Long may it continue ??????????????

— Nishith (@Nicks103) June 29, 2018

Virat Kohli fails to score in a couple of innings in a largely insignificant series and a few folks here start exulting and taking nasty jibes at him… Just shows how much envy, bordering on enmity, eminently successful people evokes among plebeians & pipsqueaks #IREvIND

— Navneet Mundhra (@navneet_mundhra) June 29, 2018

https://twitter.com/mainbhiengineer/status/1012718651626151937

When was the last time an Indian limited overs side didn't have any of MS Dhoni, Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar or Shikhar Dhawan?
Virat Kohli said everyone would get a chance, and he's certainly living up to it. #IREvIND pic.twitter.com/6WIbJWkFMS

— Saurabh Somani (@saurabh_42) June 29, 2018