The Indian cricket team won the 2-match T20I series against Ireland by 2-0. However, the second match seemed to be getting out of his hands at one point. With great difficulty, the Indian team could win it by 4 runs. India had scored 225 runs for 7 wickets in 20 overs. Despite such a huge target, former cricketers have ‘pulled’ the Indian team after winning by just 4 runs. He credited Ireland for India’s victory.
Former India fast bowler Ajit Agarkar said in the ‘Extra Innings’ after the match that Ireland’s performance is a sign of bigger things to come from their side in the future. Agarkar said, “After that partnership between Deepak Hooda and Sanju Samson, Ireland took 6 wickets in the last four overs.”
Agarkar said, ‘Ireland pulled the momentum with the ball and then with great batting. It was a good pitch, the stadium was not big enough. But it’s a good Indian team and a performance like this against them will give Ireland a lot of confidence. Superb performance.’
Mohammad Kaif also agreed with Agarkar’s views. He said, ‘If you are winning by just 4 runs after scoring 225 runs, it means that the chasing team should be given credit. They are not among the top ICC teams, play fewer matches, but they took the match to the last ball. He batted well in the last match as well. He lost the match because of his bowling. The team is good, no doubt about it.
Former India all-rounder Ajay Jadeja feels that Team India was lucky to win the match, as Ireland put up a memorable performance with the bat. “It was a much closer contest than I wanted,” he said. I think India got away with victory today. They are really lucky to have won the match after being away.
Ajay Jadeja said, ‘The number of runs you scored, the team you were playing against. For letting him get so close, you definitely got carried away. When you are playing for a team like Ireland, you should have scored more runs. Didn’t think Ireland would get this close to the total.
Former England spinner Graeme Swann credited Ireland for not giving up fighting till the end and looking at the target. He said, ‘India won the match, but Ireland did a great job. They (Ireland) could have laid down their arms considering that the target of 225 was too high.’
Graeme Swann said, ‘They may have thought it might be embarrassing if we went for it, but they didn’t. He said no, we will pursue it, we will try our best to achieve it. They had put India behind and almost won the match.