IRE vs IND: Given Him My Bat: Hardik Pandya Hopes Ireland's Harry Tector Can Get IPL Contract In Future

Hardik Pandya, the captain of India, lavished admiration on Harry Tector, claiming that the 22-year-old Irish batter has what it takes to compete not just in the Indian Premier League but in other top competitions across the world.

After India’s 7-wicket victory against Ireland in the opening T20I encounter of a two-match series in Dublin on Sunday, June 26, Hardik made his remarks.

Harry Tector Praised By Hardik Pandya

Harry Tector was praised by Hardik Pandya, who emphasized how impressed he was with the young right-hand batter’s ability to make shots, particularly through the off-side. After the first T20i, the all-rounder, who captained India for the first time in international cricket, claimed to have given Tector a bat as well. 

In front of a large audience in Malahide, Harry Tector, 22, displayed his batting prowess by scoring 64 runs off just 33 balls. On a cloudy afternoon when Bhuvneshwar Kumar was getting a lot of swing, Tector’s poise was on full show as he immediately put the pressure back on India after Ireland slid to 22 for 3 inside 4 overs. 

Hardik Pandya Gifts Harry Tector His Bat

In a fantastic inning, Tector threw himself at left-arm bowler Axar Patel to get things going and hammered 3 sixes and 6 boundaries. Despite the fact that the game was 12-over par, Tector did not do anything novel and instead used conventional strokes to advance the score.

Tector’s propensity for finding the gaps on the off-side was evident from the fact that 42 of his 64 runs had come on off-side at a strike rate of 200. 

“Oh, he (Harry Tector) played some fantastic shots. And obviously, he’s 22. I think I have given him a bat as well. So maybe he can score some more sixes and maybe get an IPL contract,” Hardik told the press after the 1st T20I in Dublin. 

Harry Tector's last four T20I innings:

24* off 15 v Germany
35 off 27 v Oman
50 off 37 v UAE
64* off 33 v India – today

Spectacular form ?

WATCH: https://t.co/wDg9dnE3Kc
SCORE: https://t.co/iHiY0U5y7J#IREvIND | #BackingGreen #Exchange22 #ABDIndiaSterlingReserve ☘️? pic.twitter.com/SkUqdbNWte

— Cricket Ireland (@cricketireland) June 26, 2022

“And I wish him luck and, you know, just look after him. Well, give him the right guidance. It’s not always about cricket. It’s about understanding your own lifestyle and understanding what is at stake. If you can manage that, I’m sure he’s going to be around not just in the IPL, but in all the leagues in the world.” 

As the rain delay on Sunday continued, Hardik congratulated the devoted cricket fans who had attended in big numbers and waited patiently. The Men in Blue were playing in Ireland for the first time in four years, and the Malahide Cricket Club’s stands were full of Indian cricket enthusiasts there to watch. 

Hardik Pandya Relieved As Crowd Was Entertained

After the toss was first delayed, an additional rainstorm caused a delay of over two hours. Hardik expressed relief that the spectators were not dissatisfied after the game was changed to a 12-overs-per-side affair. 

“Look when it was raining, I was just thinking you got to feel sorry for the fans because we were going to be playing a match here after a very long time, completely packed crowd, genuinely felt that we were playing back in India. 

“So the overriding sentiment was let’s just get on with the match, even if it was going to be a 5-over game, that would be great. Luckily, for the fans and for us we had a 12-over game that gave an opportunity to both the teams to get to the ground. 

“When you come so far, to play against Ireland and it is very important for them that the match had to be played and good that it happened,” Hardik added. 

As India chased down a 109-run target in only 9.1 overs to take a 1-0 lead in the two-match series, Hardik excelled with the bat, scoring a 12-ball 24 in a 64-run partnership with Deepak Hooda. 

On Tuesday, June 28, the second and final Twenty20 International will take place at Malahide. 

Also Read: IRE vs IND: Hardik Pandya Becomes First Indian Captain To Pick A Wicket In T20 Internationals