IRE vs IND: Twitter Reacts As India Manage To Stave Off Ireland For A Close 4-Run Win; Wins Series 2-0

India and Ireland met in the second T20I of the two-match series at the Malahide Cricket Club ground in Dublin on June 28, 2022. India had won the first T20I on June 26 and had a 1-0 lead coming into this match.

Hardik Pandya continued his toss-winning streak and decided to bat first this time in the second match. India made three changes for the second T20I against Ireland – Ruturaj Gaikwad continued his recovery from a calf injury and hence Sanju Samson was called up; Harshal Patel was brought in place of Avesh Khan while Ravi Bishnoi was given an opportunity in place of Yuzvendra Chahal.

Ishan Kishan was the first wicket to fall, for 3 runs only. Then Sanju Samson was joined by Deepak Hooda in the middle and a bloodbath followed. The duo added 176 runs for the second wicket as Ireland’s bowlers looked hapless against the two batters.

Sanju Samson scored his maiden T20I fifty and got out on 77 in 42 balls with 9 fours and 4 sixes. Hooda, on the other hand, continued the carnage, as he ended up making 104 with 9 fours and 6 sixes to his name.

India finished on 225/7 in 20 overs with Ireland’s Mark Adair picking 3 wickets.

Paul Stirling and Andy Balbirnie Lay Foundation For A Close Finish In The End

The Irish openers came out all guns blazing as they added 72 runs inside the first 6 overs. Stirling was particularly brutal as he slammed 40 in 17 balls with 3 sixes and 5 fours. His opening partner and Ireland captain Balbirnie made 60 in 37 balls with 7 sixes and 3 fours.

But India pegged back with wickets here and there. But the Irish continued to chip away at the total with Harry Tector making 39, and then, in the end, George Dockrell (34* in 16 balls with 3 fours and 3 sixes) and Mark Adair (23* in 12 balls) almost took Ireland home.

With 17 needed off the last over, which was bowled by Umran Malik, Ireland hit two fours but then Malik came back by bowling to his field, and in the end, with 6 needed off the last ball, Ireland managed just one run and India won a close tie by 4 runs.

Ireland finished on 221/5 in 20 overs.

The Twitterverse was all crazy after seeing such a close encounter in which the Irish team gave might India a huge scare. But it was also a brilliant debut for Hardik Pandya as India T20I captain and he showed his calmness in the end.

Here are some tweets:

Ireland came to close.. Nice attempt! Team India well played in the end! Young Umran did well to hold his nerves in the last over. Axar should have finished his quota of 4 overs though! #IREvsIND

— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) June 28, 2022

That was a close game. Fun to watch ?? #IREvIND

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) June 28, 2022

What a thriller we've witnessed ?#TeamIndia win the 2nd #IREvIND by 4 runs and seal the 2-match series 2️⃣-0️⃣ ??

Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/6Ix0a6evrR pic.twitter.com/6GaXOAaieQ

— BCCI (@BCCI) June 28, 2022

Ireland came to close.. Nice attempt! Team India well played in the end! Young Umran did well to hold his nerves in the last over. Axar should have finished his quota of 4 overs though! #IREvsIND

— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) June 28, 2022

That was a close game. Fun to watch ?? #IREvIND

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) June 28, 2022

Ireland team are the real winners, the fightback, 14th in ICC ranking, lost by just 4 runs while chasing 225 runs against India – this is massive for Irish.

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) June 28, 2022

WHAT A CRACKING GAME ?

Ireland push India to their limits but the visitors hold their nerve to bag the series 2⃣–0⃣ ?#IREvIND | ? Scorecard: https://t.co/HLeRsduoyV pic.twitter.com/tRZBBLojbM

— ICC (@ICC) June 28, 2022

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