3 minute read

Ireland have lost two consecutive T20 matches against India after being defeated by 33 runs in Dublin.

The hosts were set 186 to chase but came up short despite Andy Balbirnie’s mammoth 72 runs off 51 balls, meaning India go 2-0 up in the series.

Ruturaj Gaikwad and Sanju Samson gave the visitors the advantage, putting on a 71-run partnership before Ben White bowled the wicketkeeper for 40 and Barry McCarthy took his second wicket of the afternoon to dismiss Gaikwad for 58.

Despite losing their two big hitters, Rinku Singh (38) and Shivam Dube (22 not out) picked up the pace to smash 55 from 28 balls. Craig Young caught Singh off Mark Adair on the penultimate ball of the innings as India finished on 185 for five.

Ireland got off to a rocky start when Prasidh Krishna took the wickets of captain Paul Stirling and Lorcan Tucker, who both went for ducks, in the third over and Harry Tector soon fell for seven.

Balbirnie put runs on the board for Ireland, forming a valuable partnership with George Dockerell as the opening batter smashed 35 runs from a 52-run partnership.

Arshdeep Singh brought his brilliant innings to an end in the 16th over after Balbirnie was caught by Samson before Adair hit 23 from 15 balls as Ireland finished on 152 for eight.