In a commanding display of both batting and bowling prowess, the Indian cricket team secured a resounding 33-run victory in the second T20 International, clinching an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series against Ireland.
Having been put in to bat first, India constructed a formidable total of 185 for 5. The Indian batsmen demonstrated their mettle, with impressive contributions from Ruturaj Gaikwad (58 off 43 balls, including 6 fours and 1 six), Sanju Samson (40 off 26 balls, including 5 fours and 1 six), and Rinku Singh (38 off 21 balls, including 2 fours and 3 sixes).
However, it was the Indian bowlers who truly shone on the true pitch. Led by captain Jasprit Bumrah, along with Prasidh Krishna and Ravi Bishnoi, the bowling unit delivered a collective masterclass, accounting for six crucial wickets. Prasidh Krishna’s first over set the tone as he dismissed Irish captain Paul Stirling and Lorcan Tucker, reducing the hosts to 19 for 2. Leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi added to Ireland’s woes by bowling out Harry Tector with a well-executed googly, restricting them to 31 for 3 in the Power Play phase.
Ireland’s pursuit was further hampered by the mounting required run rate, often hovering above 12 runs per over. Nevertheless, Andrew Balbirnie fought valiantly, crafting a resilient half-century (72 off 51 balls, including 5 fours and 4 sixes) before falling victim to Arshdeep Singh. Balbirnie’s dismissal effectively dashed Ireland’s hopes, and Mark Adair’s 23 off 15 balls merely provided a fleeting spark of excitement.
Before the bowlers took center stage, India had dominated proceedings with their batting. Yashasvi Jaiswal initiated the innings with a brisk 18 off 11 balls, including a couple of fours and a six off pacer Josh Little. However, his departure was swiftly followed by Tilak Varma’s mistimed pull off Barry McCarthy, expertly caught by George Dockrell.
With India at 35 for 2, Sanju Samson and Ruturaj Gaikwad anchored the innings for the third wicket. The duo orchestrated a partnership of 71 runs, guiding India past the 100-run mark by the 12th over. Samson’s calculated knock of 40 off 26 balls, punctuated by five fours and a six, showcased his credentials ahead of the squad announcement for the Asia Cup 2023.
Samson’s standout moment came in the 11th over when he took on Josh Little, hammering him for 18 runs with a sequence of attacking strokes. However, misfortune struck as Samson’s attempt to drive leg-spinner White’s wide ball ended up deflecting onto his stumps.
With India positioned at 105 for 3 in the 13th over, the stage was set for a substantial total. Ruturaj Gaikwad’s steady approach was a departure from typical T20 cameos, as he sought to build an innings around him. His fifty, achieved with a powerful pull off White, exemplified his determined batting. Nonetheless, his innings was curtailed by Barry McCarthy’s slower ball, leaving India at 129 for 4.
Yet, India possessed power-hitters in the form of Rinku Singh and Shivam Dube. Their big hitting was on full display in the final overs, as Rinku Singh hammered McCarthy for two sixes and a four in the penultimate over, accumulating 22 runs. Mark Adair’s final over yielded 20 runs, propelling India to an imposing total.