DUBLIN, June 30: A ruthless India demolished Ireland by 143 runs to clinch the series 2-0 as spinners yet again tormented the hosts after authoritative batting show by the visiting batsmen in the second and final Twenty20 International, here today.
India posted a massive 213 for four after being asked to take the first strike and then bundled out the hosts for a mere 70 in 12.3 overs.
It was India�s biggest victory margin (by runs) as they improved on the 93-run win over Sri Lanka at Cuttack in 2017. It was also the joint second-highest margin (by runs) in T20Is with Pakistan 143-run win over West Indies in Karachi earlier this year, and second to 172 runs by Sri Lanka against Kenya in 2007.
It was also the lowest total against India in T20I cricket, with Ireland sinking lower than England�s 80 at Colombo in 2012.
Ireland never got off the blocks. Unlike in the previous game, they couldn�t comprehend the raw pace of Umesh Yadav (2-19) and Siddarth Kaul (1-4).
India�s new pace duo reduced the opposition to 22-3 within the 4th over, with Umesh removing Ireland�s experienced pairing of Paul Stirling (0) and William Porterfield (14) in successive overs.
Half-centurion from the previous game, James Shannon (2) became Kaul�s maiden international wicket. Yuzvendra Chahal (3/21) and Kuldeep Yadav (3/16) routed Ireland again as the hosts crashed to a massive defeat.
Earlier, continuing their tune-up for the England tour, KL Rahul and Suresh Raina struck attacking half-centuries. Barring the odd hiccup, it was another dominant display from the Indian batsmen as Rahul (70) and Raina (69) bossed the Irish bowling to put on 106 runs off 57 balls for the second wicket.
This was after the hosts won the toss and opted to field once again. They made one change, and brought in the experienced William Porterfield. Keeping the England T20I series in mind, India made four rotations changes.
SCORECARD
India: Lokesh Rahul c & b Kevin O Brien 70, Virat Kohli c Dockrell b Chase 9, Suresh Raina c Dockrell b Kevin O Brien 69, Rohit Sharma c Stirling b Kevin O Brien 0, Manish Pandey not out 21, Hardik Pandya not out 32. Extras: 12. Total: (For 4 wickets in 20 overs) 213. Fall of wickets: 1-22, 2-128, 3-128, 4-169. Bowling: Simi Singh 2-0-32-0, Boyd Rankin 3-0-33-0, Peter Chase 4-0-42-1, Stuart Thompson 1-0-17-0, George Dockrell 4-0-30-0, Paul Stirling 2-0-19-0, Kevin O Brien 4-0-40-3.
Ireland: Paul Stirling c Raina b Umesh 0, James Shannon c Rahul b S Kaul 2, William Porterfield b Umesh 14, Andrew Balbirnie b Chahal 9, Gary Wilson b Kuldeep 15, Kevin O Brien c K Yadav b H Pandya 0, Simi Singh lbw b Chahal 0, Stuart Thompson b Chahal 13, Geroge Dockrell c Umesh b K Yadav 4, Boyd Rankin st Karthik b K Yadav 10, Peter Chase not out 0. Extras: 3. Total: (all out in 12.3- overs) 70. Fall of wickets: 1-0, 2-16, 3- 22, 4-30, 5-32, 6-36, 7-44, 8-56, 9-68, Umesh Yadav 2-0-19-2, Siddarth Kaul 2-0-4-1-Hardik Pandya 2-0-10-1, Yuzvendra Chahal, 4-0-21-3, Kuldeep Yadav 2.3-0-16-3. � PTI
