Hardik Pandya debuted as India’s captain in the first T20I against Ireland. The visitors won the 12-over-side game by seven wickets. Pandya took a wicket and scored 24 runs off 12 balls.
Meanwhile, Yuzvendra Chahal was named the Man of the Match for picking up a wicket and conceding 11 runs from three overs.
Chahal praised the new skipper and talked about how the all-rounder gave freedom to his bowler.
“He gave liberty to bowl. The atmosphere under him is chill. He gave complete freedom to bowlers to execute their plans,” said Chahal. Deepak Hooda smashed 47 runs off 29 balls while Hardik accumulated 24 runs off 12 balls and helped Team India chase the target of 109 runs in less than 10 overs, with seven wickets left.
In the first innings, Harry Tector’s unbeaten 64 took Ireland’s score to 108/4.