Former India batter VVS Laxman, who oversaw India’s T20I series in the head coach role in Ireland, heaped praise on the Irish team, saying the fight shown by the hosts in the series, especially in the series finale in Dublin on Tuesday, June 28 impressed him.
Laxman said it’s exciting to see young talents coming to the fore in Ireland cricket after Andie Balbrinie’s men gave India a stiff test in the 2nd T20I in which 446 runs were scored in 40 overs.
Chasing a steep target of 226, Ireland nearly got past the finish line as they finished just 4 runs short of India’s total after a last-over thriller at the Malahide Cricket Club in Dublin on Tuesday. Captain Balbrinie hit a 37-ball 60 after opener Paul Stirling smashed 40 from just 18 balls.
Ireland were 142 for 4 in just the 14th over when 22-year-old Harry Tector, who had smashed an impressive fifty in the first T20I, joined hands with George Dockrell. The duo went on a six-hitting spree as there were a few nervous moments for the Indian camp in Dublin.
While Tector hit a 28-ball 39, Dockrell led the fight at the death for Ireland, hitting 3 sixes and as many boundaries in his 16-ball 34 before lower-order batter Mark Adair hit 12-ball 23 not out. However, with Umran Malik successfully defending 17 runs in the final over, India completed a 2-0 sweep of the series.
“Had a wonderful time and a great experience here. The way our boys played was fantastic. The fight shown by the Irish batters & their approach tonight was commendable! Great to see such young talents coming up here. Thank you, Ireland, for hosting us,” Laxman tweeted.
Had a wonderful time and a great experience here. The way our boys played was fantastic. The fight shown by the Irish batters & their approach tonight was commendable!
Great to see such young talents coming up here. Thank you Ireland for hosting us #IREvIND pic.twitter.com/7H5QWTKJKc— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) June 28, 2022
Laxman, who heads the National Cricket Academy, travelled with the Indian T20I squad to fill in for Rahul Dravid, who is overseeing India’s preparations for the rescheduled 5th Test against England, starting July 1 in Birmingham.
Notably, India’s win on Tuesday was set up Deepak Hooda, who hit his maiden T20I hundred and Sanju Samson, who shone on his comeback, hitting a quickfire 77 as India posted 225 on the board.