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After securing an impressive seven-wicket win in the first T20I, Hardik Pandya-led Indian cricket team will look to clinch the series when they take on Ireland in the second and final T20I at the Malahide Cricket Club Ground in Dublin on Tuesday, June 28.

Pandya won the toss and elected to field before persistent rain delayed the start of play and forced the first T20I to be reduced to 12-overs-per-side.

Indian pace trio of Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Avesh Khan and Pandya made use of the helpful conditions as they reduced Ireland to 22/3 in the first 3.5 overs. However, Ireland’s middle-order batter Harry Tector smashed an unbeaten 64 off just 33 balls to power the hosts to a competitive total of 108/4 in their 12 overs.

In reply, Deepak Hooda (47 not out), Ishan Kishan (26) and Pandya (24) helped India chase down the target in just 9.2 overs and take a 1-0 lead in the two-match T20I series.

With another convincing victory, India further improved their head-to-head record against Ireland in the T20I format, which now stands 4-0.

Having registered his first win as India’s T20I captain, Hardik and his men will eye second consecutive T20I series win in Ireland. Led by former India captain Virat Kohli, the Men in Blue had secured a 2-0 T20I series win in Ireland in 2018.

Ahead of the second T20I between India and Ireland, here are some of the talking points:

Deepak Hooda grabs his opportunity

After India’s designated opener Ruturaj Gaikwad picked up a niggle, the visitors promoted all-rounder Deepak Hooda to open the innings with Ishan Kishan. Chasing a tricky target of 109 in 12 overs, Hooda grabbed his opportunity as he scored an unbeaten 47 off 29 balls to guide India to a clinical victory on Sunday. His impressive innings was laced with six fours and two sixes. With Hooda fighting for a place in India’s T20 World Cup squad, he will look to continue his good form in the second T20I.

Harry Tector impresses for Ireland

With Ireland reeling at 6/2 in 1.2 overs, Harry Tector joined Gareth Delany at the crease. The 22-year-old played a scintillating knock under pressure, hammering an unbeaten 33-ball 64 to help Ireland post a decent total of 108/4 on the board. Tector scored more than two-third of his runs in boundaries which included six fours and three maximums. Tector’s impressive innings also impressed India captain Hardik Pandya, who later gifted him a bat and hoped the Irish batter bags an IPL contract soon.

Yuzvendra Chahal in great form

Leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal was the standout bowler for India as he conceded just 11 runs in his three overs including picking one wicket. The Haryana-born cricketer, who was one of the two Indian bowlers to complete three-over quota in the 12-over match, was later adjudged the Man of the Match in the first T20I. Chahal has been in great form recently, claiming six wickets in five matches in the recently-concluded T20I series against South Africa. He also won the Purple Cap in IPL 2022, picking 27 wickets in 17 matches.

Going by recent form and past head-to-head record, India will start as overwhelming favourites against Ireland to clinch the T20I series in Dublin on Tuesday.