Sanju Samson in action vs Ireland in the 2nd T20.
Highlights
- Samson smacked the Irish bowlers for 77 off just 42 deliveries.
- Netizens were furious over the management when Samson did not make it to 11 in the first T20.
Sanju Samson made a strong statement in the 2nd T20I vs Ireland as the RR skipper smacked the Irish bowlers for 77 off just 42 deliveries to help India put a monstrous target of 226 on board.
Netizens were furious over the management when Samson did not make it to eleven in the first T20. But, when Hardik Pandya announced that Samson was replacing Gaikwad during the toss in the 2nd T20, the crowd erupted and cheered for the same.
Hardik Pandya had to stop talking and even acknowledged the applause stating, 'I think a lot of people are liking it.'
India vs Ireland 2nd T20I - Match Report
Riding high on the win of the first T20I, India came out all guns blazing for the second T20I. Sanju Samson opened the batting with Ishan Kishan and went on to score his maiden 50 in the Indian blues.
MI opener Ishan Kishan could not make any notable contributions and was dismissed cheaply by Mark Adair when he was batting on 3. Hero of the previous match Deepak Hooda continued from where he left and scored a blistering ton off 55 deliveries.
Samson and Hooda's partnership propelled India to a total of 225 runs. In their quest to score more runs, the Indian batting crumbled under pressure and they lost 4 wickets for 18 runs in the death overs.
Once the Irish batsmen came out to bat, they did not waste any time. Paul Stirling joined hands with skipper Andrew Balbirnie and put up a partnership of 72 runs which acted as a strong base for Ireland's chase to take off. Skipper Balbirnie took the onus upon himself and he kept on holding one end. The Irish skipper scored 60 off 37 balls at a strike rate of 162.16.
After Stirling and Balbirnie's wicket fell, the Irish chase was taken care of by a few quick cameos played by Harry Tector and George Dockrell. In the final over the Irish needed 17 overs but it was well defended by Umran Malik who was just playing his second game.
Ireland displayed loads of intent and courage to try and chase down this mammoth of a target, which they almost did, but in the end, they fell short of what was nearly a remarkable chase.
