India kicked off the two-match T20I series against Ireland on a high note. Hardik Pandya and co defeated the hosts by seven wickets in the first game at Malahide, Dublin on Sunday. The two sides will now lock horns at the same venue on Tuesday. 

While Deepak Hooda and Yuzvendra Chahal were amongst the Indians who shined in the 12-over a side contest, Ireland too saw a young batter step up. Playing against a top T20I side, Harry Tector played an unbeaten 64 off 33 with the help of six boundaries and three maximums. The 22-year-old smashed all of India’s bowling attack, except Chahal and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, to guide his side to 108 runs in the first innings. 

Also read: What Mayank Agarwal’s call up for England Test means

India chased the target in under 10 overs. Hooda hit 47 while skipper Pandya made 24. 

Tector, who is only 22, started attacking the Indian bowlers when Ireland were 22/3. Skipper Andy Balbirnie had been dismissed for a duck while hard-hitting opener Paul Stirling departed for four. 

Harry Tector hit India’s fastest Umran Malik over mid-wicket for a huge maximum. He also smashed Bhuvneshwar Kumar. It was his third half-century in the format. 

Indian skipper Pandya who was on the receiving end of Tector’s heroics, praised the youngster. 

Also read: Why Ruturaj Gaikwad did not open in the 1st T20I vs Ireland

“He played some fantastic shots, and obviously, he’s 22, I’ve given him a bat as well, so maybe he can score some more sixes and maybe get an IPL contract, and I wish him luck. Just look after him well, give him the right guidance. It’s not always about cricket; it’s about understanding your whole lifestyle and what is at stake. If you can manage that, I’m sure he’s going to be around – not just in IPL, in all the leagues in the world,” Pandya said in the post-match press-conference.