Ireland vs India 2nd T20I, 2018 - Who Said What

The No.3 ranked T20I team behaved like one and it was evident that they were playing against the team placed at No.17. After winning the first T20I the other night, Team India beat Ireland by 143 runs in the game today to take the series 2-0. It was a thoroughly authoritative win for the Indians as they were a far-far better side in all the departments of the game.

The difference was quite evident as the Ireland bowlers could never challenge, test and put the Indian batters under pressure and when their batsmen were out in the middle every ball seemed to fox them. KL Rahul scored a stupendous fifty and so did Suresh Raina, the duo had a brilliant 106-run partnership which placed India well on course for another big total. Hardik Pandya’s late flourish ensured they posted 213/4 in 20 overs.

Ireland in their response didn’t have any answers to the Indian bowlers. From Umesh Yadav who bowled his first over in T20I cricket after 6 years to Siddarth Kaul making his international debut everyone who bowled had some success. Once the wrist spin duo was in the attack things just crumbled for Ireland. They shared six wickets amongst them and triggered an Irish breakdown.

In the end, the hosts were all knocked down for 70 runs in 12.3 overs and the Indian team won the match by their biggest margin in T20I cricket, with that, the series 2-0.

Victorious Indian captain Virat Kohli said:

Just the kind of momentum we wanted for England. A balanced performance from all departments. I’m having a headache now about whom to pick now, they’ve all done so well with the bat, but it’s a good problem to have. It’s a great phase for Indian cricket, and I’m happy the youngsters are doing well and taking their chances. For us the opposition doesn’t matter, and England will be the same.

They can come hard and we have the batting power to match that. England are a quality side but we have the firepower to match them. All the guys in the team are working equally hard. No one take their place for granted, and the responsibility by the players has been taken by the players with both hands. The credit has to go to the players and that takes all the pressure off me and the team management.

After their defeat Gary Wilson, Ireland captain said: 

Disappointed with not putting up a fight with the bad. We know India are good at chasing, and the wicket wouldn’t have played differently whether we had batted first or bowled first. Plenty of lessons, looking at the way they go about their game. They’re some of the best players in the IPL.

Yuzvendra Chahal is the Man of the Series, he said: 

The wicket was turning. The coaches told me that you must plan according to the wicket. I was mixing the pace up according to the batsman’s thinking, so I bowled five quick ones, and then tossed up the last one. Sometimes the nets are useful because they are some of the best in the world. 

KL Rahul, Man of the Match for this game said: 

It was important for me to make the most of my opportunities. It was a good wicket and I enjoyed batting. I came into the series with a good run in the IPL, so I just continued. It was a little spongy, and the back of a length balls were holding up. So I was staying back in the crease to get used to it. Getting time off drives me more to come back and make runs. It is important to use the time out to work on your cricket and technique.

Whenever I am sitting out I try to work on coming back stronger. I’ve never played in the UK before, and we know it will be a challenge. That’s what this young team has been doing for the last few years, and we will take on the challenge. This series will also test our skills and character, so we are looking forward to that.

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