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India’s star-studded top order faces intense pressure to seek redemption in the second and final T20I in Belfast today.
Shreyas Iyer’s side is eager to level the series after suffering a shocking 34-run defeat in the opening clash.
The defending champions, playing their first series since winning the T20 World Cup, suffered one of their biggest upsets on Friday.
Ireland successfully defended 182 runs, bowling India out for 148 to secure their first-ever international win against the Men in Blue.
Iyer, who took over from India’s T20 World Cup-winning captain Suryakumar Yadav, is eager to end their brief tour of Ireland with a win before beginning a five-match series against England at Chester-le-Street on Wednesday.
It was not the start Iyer would have envisioned for his return to T20Is after 963 days and his first match as India’s T20I captain.
The biggest concern on the first day was India’s batting collapse.
Sanju Samson, India’s World Cup hero just three months ago, departed after facing only four balls. Debutant Jai Moondra claimed his maiden international wicket with the prized dismissal.
As India got into early problems, the powerplay saw Iyer and Ishan Kishan also fall for single-digit scores.
On the other hand, Abhishek Sharma carried out the remaining innings in his explosive way.
Striking the ball fluently into the stands, he did not receive any support from the other end.
After a four-month knee injury layoff, Harshit Rana recovered remarkably to take 3/24 using clever variations.
Axar Patel and Arshdeep Singh also bowled impressively, especially at the death. Captain Shreyas Iyer exhausted his pace attack early, leaving India with few late-game options.
Washington Sundar then conceded 19 runs in the 16th over. Prasidh Krishna followed by leaking 27 runs in the 17th over to finish with figures of 0/57. Those expensive overs allowed Ireland to add 20 to 30 crucial runs.
To avoid a series loss and regain momentum ahead of their England tour, India must deliver a far better performance to level the series.
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