Ire vs Ind, 2nd T20I: Hooda-starrer India survive major scare to seal 4-run win; Pandya & Co. clinch series 2-0

A spirited effort from Ireland went in vain as Team India completed a 2-0 series win in the two-match T20I series. The Hardik Pandya-led side recorded a thrilling four-run win in the last-ball thriller at the Malahide Cricket Club. A sensational batting effort from Deepak Hooda and Sanju Samson was the catalyst in India's victory.

Earlier, skipper Pandya won his second successive toss of the series and decided to bat first. The in-form Ishan Kishan had a rare failure as he was dismissed for just three runs. However, the dismissal did not affect India much. Samson and Hooda looked determined to make the most of their elusive opportunities. The duo put a 176-run stand which is the highest-ever for India in the history of T20I cricket.

Returning to the team, Samson made his first-ever half-century for India on the way to a 42-ball 77. Meanwhile, Hooda registered his maiden international ton and became the fourth Indian batter after Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, and Suresh Raina to score a century for India in the shortest format.

After Samson and Hooda's dismissals, the Men in Blue lost wickets in quick succession and put up a total of 225 on the board. Three successive batter in Dinesh Karthik, Axar Patel, and Harshal Patel were dismissed for golden ducks. As far as the hosts are concerned, Mark Adair was the pick of the bowlers with a three-wicket haul. Joshua Little and Craig Young took took scalps each.

Ireland were not fazed by mammoth total and made a quick-fire start to their innings. Openers Paul Stirling and Andrew Balbirnie put together a 72-run partnership in just 34 balls. After Stirling's dismissal for a 18-ball 40, skipper Balbirnie reached a half-century. He was eventually dismissed for a knock of 60 in 37 balls.

Harry Tector continued his fine form from the last game while George Dockrell stunned India with a quick-fire cameo to keep Ireland in contention for a win and putting pressure back on India. However, Bhuvneshwar Kumar kept his calm and produced the big wicket of Tector in the final over of his spell. In a sensational 18th over, the veteran pacer gave away just 7 runs. However, Dockrell punished Harshal Patel in the 19th over to leave Ireland needing 17 runs in the final over.

Young pace bowling sensation Umran Malik playing only his second game for India was handed the responsibility to bowl the final over. Despite a costly no-ball of the second ball, the 22-year-old kept his nerve and ensured a four-win for the visitors. Dockrell's 16-ball 34 went in vain as Ireland lost a golden opportunity to script a massive upset. Umran, Bhuvneshwar, Harshal, and Ravi Bishnoi took one wicket each for India.