'I've given him a bat' - Hardik Pandya lauds Harry Tector's show in 1st T20I

The Indian team completed a comfortable victory in the first T20I against Ireland in Malahide on Sunday, 26th June. Indian skipper Hardik Pandya spoke about Ireland’s Harry Tector and wished him all the best for the future after his impressive innings in the series opener against the visitors.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar jolted the Irish innings early on after getting rid of skipper Andy Balbirnie for a duck. Veteran Paul Stirling and Gareth Delany were also dismissed in the powerplays, which lasted just four overs after the revised playing conditions due to the rain delay. Ireland were 22/3 and were struggling to cope against the swinging ball, that is when the 22-year-old Tector started playing his shots and led the Irish counterattack against the Indian bowlers.

The right-hand batter played some sumptuous shots in his innings, including a dismissive maximum against Umran Malik over mid-wicket and a nonchalant lofted six over the covers boundary against Bhuvneshwar. He registered his third half-century in T20Is for the national side as he remained unbeaten on 64 off 33 deliveries. The Indian skipper has lauded the youngster’s innings and wants to see him play more in the future.

“He played some fantastic shots, and obviously, he’s 22, I’ve given him a bat as well, so maybe he can score some more sixes and maybe get an IPL contract, and I wish him luck. Just look after him well, give him the right guidance. It’s not always about cricket; it’s about understanding your whole lifestyle and what is at stake. If you can manage that, I’m sure he’s going to be around – not just in IPL, in all the leagues in the world,” Pandya was quoted as saying in the presser after the first T20I.

It genuinely felt that we were playing back in India: Hardik Pandya

The atmosphere in the stadium was electric thanks to a full house crowd, who waited for the game even after a lengthy delay due to rain. The crowd had a majority of Indian fans who came to see their side play on these shores after a long period. The Indian skipper appreciated the crowd’s patience and thanked them for their support. The all-rounder also admitted that it felt like playing in India because of the support of the vociferous crowd.

“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. 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.