Ireland hope to retaliate against India in 2nd T20 Intl

Dublin: After a marginal defeat of 76 runs in the first of two Twenty20 Internationals, Ireland is hoping to retaliate against India in the next match to be played in Dublin on Friday.

India restricted the hosts for 132/9, later scoring 208/5 to seal 76 runs win here on Wednesday. The visitors openers Rohit Sharma (97) and Shikhar Dhawan (74) played out to establish a partnership of 160-run in 16 overs as Irish bowler Peter Chase got rid of Sharma, Raina, Dhoni and Kohli, recording a maximum figure of 4 for 35.

The hosts batsman James Shannon, who is a novice in the international cricket scored 60 off 35-ball with five fours and four sixes. In addition to that, Paul Stirling and Boyd Rankin also vied with the visitors to keep the match moderately tight, but the Player of the Match Kuldeep Yadav claimed 4 wickets 21 and got India a 1-0 lead in the two-match series.

While, India might go for a change to play a good hand against lower-ranked opposition, Ireland can turn the table by notching up a win against the champions to level the series.(UNI)