India lost Yashasvi Jaiswal (18) and Tilak Varma (1) inside the powerplay as both batters failed in their attempt to take on the short ball. Jaiswal fell to Craig Young, while Varma was dismissed by Barry McCarthy. A third-wicket stand of 71 between Ruturaj Gaikwad (58 off 43) and Sanju Samson (40 off 26) put India in a good position.
Samson struck five fours and a six before he dragged one from Ben White onto his stumps. Gaikwad carried on in his aggressive vein and went past a well-deserved half-century. He hit six fours and a six before perishing to a slower ball from Barry McCarthy.
Rinku Singh (38 off 21) and Shivam Dube (22 not out off 16) then ensured India crossed 180 by smacking some big hits at the end. Rinku hammered two fours and three sixes, while Dube hammered two maximums.
Chasing 186, Ireland lost three wickets before the end of the powerplay. Paul Stirling (0) and Lorcan Tucker (0) both fell to Prasidh Krishna short balls, while Ravi Bishnoi dismissed Harry Tector (7) and Curtis Campher (18).
Andrew Balbirnie scored a magnificent 72 off 51 balls, whacking five fours and four sixes. However, he did not get much support from the rest. For India, apart from Krishna, skipper Jasprit Bumrah stood out with 2/15, while leg-spinner Bishnoi ended with figures of 2/37.
Speaking after being named Player of the Match, Rinku Singh, “I am feeling very good. I was trying to do what I have done in the IPL. I was very confident and tried to stay calm. I listen to the captain (smiles). I am feeling very nice. I have been playing for 10 years. All my efforts have born fruition. I am happy to get the Man of the Match award in my first game [innings].”
The third T20I of the India-Ireland series will be played at The Village in Dublin on Wednesday, August 23.
--By A Cricket Correspondent
