All-rounder Hardik Pandya showed some fireworks in the India-Ireland 2nd T20I, scoring 32 runs off just 9 deliveries.
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KL Rahul and Virat Kohli came out to open the innings for India. Although the partnership did not work as Kohli was soon dismissed by Chase. Suresh Raina came out to bat at one down and looked in fine touch. He played exquisite shots, muscling 5 fours and 3 sixes.
The stage was already set for Hardik Pandya when he came to bat. KL Rahul played an explosive knock scoring 70 runs off 36 balls. Rahul clobbered 6 sixes and 3 fours at a strike rate of almost 200. Raina too was back in full flow with a 69 run knock comprising of 5 fours and 3 sixes.
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The two ensured that India had a good platform. Pandya cashed in on the start that India had got and went all guns blazing as soon as he came out to the crease.
Pandya slammed 4 sixes and one four. When the innings got over, he remained unbeaten for 32 runs off just 9 balls with a staggering strike rate of more than 350.
Pandya was on strike on the last four balls of the last over bowled by Kevin O’Brien. The third ball was full outside the off stump and Pandya sliced it over long off for 6. The next ball was full outside the off stump. Cashing in on the length ball, Pandya heaved it over O’Brien’s head for a maximum. The next ball was again outside off but it was a short of length delivery which Pandya flat batted past the bowler to take India well beyond 200.
The huge target was always going to be a difficult one for Ireland as the team got bundled out for 70 runs. KL Rahul received the Man of the Match while Yuzvendra Chahal bagged the Man of the Series award.
