India outclass Ireland

A ruthless India demolished Ireland by 143 runs to clinch the series 2-0 as spinners yet again tormented the hosts after an authoritative batting show by the visiting batsmen in the second and final Twenty20 International, here on Friday.

India posted a massive 213 for four after being asked to take the first strike and then bundled out the hosts for a mere 70 in 12.3 overs.

It was India’s biggest victory margin (by runs) as they improved on the 93-run win over Sri Lanka at Cuttack in 2017. It was also the joint second-highest margin (by runs) in T20Is, matching Pakistan’s 143-run win over West Indies in Karachi earlier this year, and second to 172 runs by Sri Lanka against Kenya in 2007.

It was also the lowest total against India in T20I cricket, with Ireland sinking lower than England’s 80 at Colombo in 2012. Ireland never got off the blocks. Unlike in the previous game, they couldn’t comprehend the raw pace of Umesh Yadav (2-19) and Siddarth Kaul (1-4).

India’s pace duo reduced the opposition to 22-3 within the 4th over, with Umesh removing Ireland’s experienced pairing of Paul Stirling (0) and William Porterfield (14) in successive overs.

Half-centurion from the previous game, James Shannon (2) became Kaul’s maiden international wicket. Yuzvendra Chahal (3/21) and Kuldeep Yadav (3/16) then routed Ireland again as the hosts crashed to a massive defeat.

Earlier, continuing their tune-up for the England tour, K L Rahul and Suresh Raina struck attacking half-centuries. Barring the odd hiccup, it was another dominant display from the Indian batsmen as Rahul (70) and Raina (69) bossed the Irish bowling to put on 106 runs off 57 balls for the second wicket.

This was after the hosts won the toss and opted to field once again. They made one change, and brought in the experienced William Porterfield. India made four changes.

Kaul made his T20I debut while Umesh, Dinesh Karthik and Rahul were included in the playing eleven. Shikhar Dhawan, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah and MS Dhoni were rested.

While the changes were all like-for-like, India opted for permutations in their batting order. Skipper Virat Kohli (9), out for a duck in the first game, opened the innings with Rahul. Again though, he fell cheaply, out caught off a skier at fine leg as George Dockrell held on impressively.

Rahul then took centre stage and smacked the Irish bowling to all parts of the ground. He hit three fours and four long sixes during his 36-ball stay, replicating his rich form from the 2018 Indian Premier League season. He brought up his 4th T20I half-century off 28 balls and then accelerated further as India crossed the 100-mark in the 10th over and never looked back.