When India faced off Ireland in a two-match T20 series, everyone expected them to rip apart from the hosts in a highly convincing manner. And India did just that. Ireland, after all, are the lowest ranked T20 team and all Indian players were playing their first T20I series after the conclusion of the Indian Premier League.

So this desecration was written in the cards.

After winning the toss, Ireland decided to bowl first. Right then and there, Ireland had lost the game as India came down with all guns blazing. Virat Kohli promoted himself to open the innings but failed to put a mark on the game as he got out for 9.

Meanwhile, KL Rahul continued his glorious form from the IPL as he smashed a vehement 36-ball 70 to give his team a brilliant start to the game. Suresh Raina, batting at three, rolled back the years with a superb 45-ball 69.

Rohit Sharma came at four and got out for a duck while Manish Pandey and Hardik Pandya gave them the perfect finish. Pandey scored 21 from 20 balls while Pandya went in beast mode to score 32 from 9 balls, helping India to post 213 runs on board with the loss of just four wickets.

Kevin O’Brien was the pick of the bowlers for the Irish team as he took three wickets while giving away 40 runs from his four overs.

In response, Ireland bundled out like a house of cards as only four batsmen could get to double figures as William Potterfield, Gary Wilson, Stuart Thompson ad Boyd Ranking scored 14, 15, 13 and 10 respectively.

The Indian wristspinners completely dismantled the Irish batters as both Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal took three wickets each. Umesh Yadav took two scalps while Siddarth Kaul and Hardik Pandya took one wicket each to finish Ireland for 70 runs in their 12.3 overs.

Scores:

India – 213/4 (20 overs)

KL Rahul – 70 (36) | Kevin O’Brien – 4-0-40-3

Ireland – 70 all-out (12.3 overs)