Yuzvendra Chahal was in brilliant form as India cruised past Ireland in their first T20I on Sunday, at The Village in Malahide. The spinner took a wicket and conceded only 11 runs in three overs, with the visitors winning by seven wickets. The match was also reduced to 12 overs for each side after rain interrupted the proceedings multiple times. After the game during an interaction with Deepak Hooda, Chahal also joked that due to the cold weather, his fingers were very stiff while bowling.
“It’s a good feeling. It was cold, so fingers were stiff”, he quipped, while talking on Chahal TV.
Also Read | 20-year-old star shares story on Yuzvendra Chahal’s bowling tips
Explaining how he dealt with the cold weather, he further added, “The plan was to keep the length far and then in between I would keep on mixing the deliveries.”
Chasing a target of 109 runs, India posted 111 for three in 9.2 overs with Deepak Hooda top-scoring with an unbeaten knock of 47 runs off 29 balls. His innings also included six fours and two maximums. Meanwhile his opening partner Ishan Kishan also registered 26 runs off 11 balls.
Speaking on Chahal TV after the match, Hooda revealed that he was up for the ‘challenge’ to bat as an opener for India. “Obviously, I was a bit nervous. But at the same time, there will be challenges in life, so I was facing the challenge and yes I am up for everything”, he said.
“This IPL also I have batted in no.2 and no. 3, so yes I am ready for everything.”
Initially, Ireland had posted a total of 108 for four in 12 overs, with Harry Tector playing a dominating unbeaten knock of 64 runs off 33 balls. He also hammered six fours and three sixes.
Both sides will face each other in the second and final T20I on June 28 in the same venue. The likes of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah have been excluded from the squad for the T20Is against Ireland due to the upcoming final Test against England. The Indian Test team also played out a draw in a warm-up match against Leicestershire on Sunday.
