Welcome back, folks! The Irish team is on the field. Ruturaj Gaikwad and Ishan Kishan to open for India. They will be looking to start off sensibly before taking on the bowler. There will be some movement with the new ball and Ireland have the seamers to make the ball talk. The start is very crucial here for both teams.Â
... CHASE TIME ...
Avesh Khan to Harry Tector, Fuller in length and around leg, Harry Tector whips it to deep square leg and the fielder slips there while stopping the ball. The batters get two runs. Ireland finish on 108 for 4.
The Indian bowling was brilliant in the first four overs but then they lost the plot once Harry Tector started to score freely. There was a hype around Umran Malik's debut but he went for 18 runs in his first over and never returned. Yuzvendra Chahal was the best bowler on show and apart from him, Bhuvneshwar Kumar was also excellent. This is certainly a challenging total and India will have to apply themselves in the chase. Do join us in a short while to find out how it goes...
A smart recovery from Ireland after losing three quick wickets inside the Powerplay. Harry Tector started a counter-attack and his partnership with Lorcan Tucker brought the Irish innings back on track. Tector went on to make a 33-ball 64 and his knock single-handedly took Ireland over the 100-run mark.
Avesh Khan to Harry Tector, ! Smashed away! Khan misses his yorker and ends up bowling a full toss, around off. Tector makes room and slams it over deep extra cover for a maximum.
Avesh Khan to Harry Tector, Dropped! A fullish slower delivery, outside off. Tector makes room and slices it towards deep extra-cover. It goes high in the air and Patel running to his left reaches the ball but fails to pouch it. Two taken.
Avesh Khan to Harry Tector, ! This has been a gem of an innings from Harry Tector! A full toss on middle and leg. Tector reverse-scoops it towards the third man fence for a boundary. This has been a good recovery from Ireland!
Avesh Khan to Harry Tector, WIDE! Full and way wide outside off, Tector goes chasing for it but misses.
Avesh Khan to George Dockrell, Fuller delivery again, on off. George Dockrell mistimes his drive towards the cover fielder in the ring, and he goes for a single.
Avesh Khan to Harry Tector, FIFTY for Harry Tector! A brilliant knock from the young man, he has taken his team to a respectable total here! A very full ball on middle, Tector digs it out to long on for a single.
Avesh Khan to bowl the final over.
Yuzvendra Chahal to George Dockrell, This is a googly again, that pitches around leg, George Dockrell looks to heave it across the line but misses. Luckily for him, the ball turns in and just misses the leg stump. 3-0-11-1, exceptional from Chahal.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Harry Tector, Chahal with a quicker one on off, Tector pushes it to covers for just a single.
Yuzvendra Chahal to George Dockrell, This is fuller on off. George Dockrell swings his bat across the line but hits it straight to long on, along the ground, for a single.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Harry Tector, Goes flatter and quicker on off, Tector makes a bit of room and pushes it to covers for a single.
Yuzvendra Chahal to George Dockrell, A fuller delivery on middle. George Dockrell drills it straight down the ground and the fielder at long on moves to his left and cuts it off. A single taken.
Yuzvendra Chahal to George Dockrell, This is a googly, around leg. George Dockrell backs away and looks to heave it away but misses.
Will Yuzvendra Chahal continue? Yes, he is.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to George Dockrell, On a length, around off. George Dockrell opens the face of his blade and guides it towards deep point for a single. With the last two overs remaining, how many more can Ireland get?
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Harry Tector, Shortish length, outside off. Tector cuts to deep point this time for a single.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Harry Tector, Short and outside off, Tector cuts it but straight to the backward point fielder.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Harry Tector, ! What a superb shot this is! Fuller in length, around off, Tector strides forward and lofts it nonchalantly over covers for a biggie. Not an easy shot to play but he has nailed it.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Harry Tector, On a length, on middle. Tector works it towards deep mid-wicket for a couple.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar returns to bowl, another three overs left in the innings.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Harry Tector, ! Bhuvneshwar Kumar is greeted in his new spell with a boundary! Short and outside off, Tector makes room and slaps it towards deep cover-point. The fielder in the deep runs to his right and dives to stop. He collects the ball but ends up sliding into the rope. A boundary for Tector!
Yuzvendra Chahal to George Dockrell, This is pushed quicker and shorter, around off. George Dockrell cuts but finds the fielder at covers. Just 4 runs from the over and a wicket for Chahal, brilliant stuff!
Yuzvendra Chahal to Harry Tector, On middle and fuller. Tector works it towards the leg side for a single.
George Dockrell walks in next.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Lorcan Tucker, ! CAUGHT! Yuzvendra Chahal strikes as Lorcan Tucker holes out in the deep! Tossed up, landing full and outside off. Tucker goes down on one knee for the slog-sweep but has to fetch it. He connects but fails to get enough distance and Axar Patel at deep mid-wicket takes a fine catch. Chahal breaks this good partnership for Ireland!
Yuzvendra Chahal to Harry Tector, Tossed up, outside off. Tector drives it to long off for a single. The 50-run stand comes up.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Lorcan Tucker, This is a lot fuller, around leg, Tucker makes a bit of room and looks to sweep it but misses. The ball hits his pads and goes towards the off side. A leg bye is taken.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Harry Tector, A flatter delivery on leg. Tector punches it towards deep mid-wicket for a single.
Hardik Pandya to Lorcan Tucker, A length delivery on middle, slower in pace. Tucker looks to work it towards the leg side but mistimes it onto the turf. 13 from the over!
Hardik Pandya to Lorcan Tucker, ! Another good shot from Tucker! Pandya delivers it on a length, around middle, Tucker stays deep in his crease and launches it over deep mid-wicket for a maximum.
Hardik Pandya to Lorcan Tucker, ! This time he connects and it sails over the square leg fence! Pandya goes short and on off but it's a pacy delivery this time and Tucker hooks it over deep square leg for a maximum.
Hardik Pandya to Lorcan Tucker, Change of pace! An off-pace short delivery, around off. Tucker looks to pull it away but misses.
Hardik Pandya to Harry Tector, Shortish length again, around off. Tector pushes it to covers and takes a single. Ireland need boundaries here!
Hardik Pandya returns to bowl his second over. He picked up the prized scalp of Paul Stirling and went for 13 runs in his opening over.
Hardik Pandya to Harry Tector, Pandya hits the hard length on middle, Tector skips down the track but only manages to push it back to the bowler.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Harry Tector, Another googly angling into leg. Tector works it to deep mid-wicket for another single. Tidy start from Chahal!
Yuzvendra Chahal to Lorcan Tucker, A half-tracker on middle. Tucker pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Harry Tector, A flighted delivery on middle, Tector flicks it to wide long on for a single.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Lorcan Tucker, Slower through the air on middle, Tucker comes down the track and looks to clip it away but gets hit on the pads again.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Lorcan Tucker, Tosses this up again on middle, Tucker sweeps it to fine leg for a single.
Umran Malik to Harry Tector, ! Fighting fire with fire. Umran Malik bangs it in short, around off at 145 kph, Harry Tector hangs on the back foot and hammer-pulls it over deep square leg for a biggie. 50 up! 18 from Umran's first over in international cricket.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Lorcan Tucker, Chahal starts with a googly on middle and leg. Tucker goes back and looks to work it towards the leg side but misses. The ball hits his pads and rolls towards the off side.
Yuzvendra Chahal is into the attack now.
Umran Malik to Harry Tector, Wide! Umran Malik has not got his radar yet. A low full toss, way down the leg side at 143 kph, the batter tries to flick but misses.
Umran Malik to Harry Tector, ! The crowd goes silent. Umran Malik delivers it from wide of the crease. It's full and around middle at 142 kph, Harry Tector shows the full face of his bat and caresses it down the ground for a boundary at long on.
Umran Malik to Lorcan Tucker, Back of a length, around off at 140 kph, Lorcan Tucker guides it down to third man for a run.
Umran Malik to Lorcan Tucker, LEG BYES! Umran goes full but it's down the leg side at 143 kph. Tucker fails to flick and it goes off his boots to the fine leg fence.
Umran Malik to Harry Tector, A 145 kph delivery, full and around off, Tector keeps it out off the inner edge to square leg and they cross.
Is that a run out? Axar Patel has fired a direct hit at the bowler's end. However, the replays show that Harry Tector is well inside his crease. He will continue.
Umran Malik to Lorcan Tucker, Fuller and around off, driven through covers for a run.
Axar Patel to Lorcan Tucker, Loopy and full, around off, it's swept along the ground to deep square leg for a run. 12 from the over!
Axar Patel to Harry Tector, NOT ! Fuller and around off, skidding in, Tector keeps it out off the inner half to mid-wicket and Tucker comes out of the crease, looking for a run. His partner responds as Axar attacks the ball. The bowler scores a direct hit at his end and they appeal. The third umpire is referred. Harry Tector is found to be safe in the replays.
Axar Patel to Harry Tector, ! Gorgeous! This time Tector goes aerial, plays an inside-out shot over covers and sends it almost over the fence. A boundary is signalled.
Axar Patel to Harry Tector, ! That's a good drive! Very full and wide outside off, Harry Tector latches onto the width and drills it through extra cover.
Axar Patel to Lorcan Tucker, Loopy and full, around off, Tucker tucks it through mid-wicket for a single.
Axar Patel to Harry Tector, Tossed up around off, driven through covers for a single.
Time for some spin now. Axar Patel is into the attack.
Avesh Khan to Lorcan Tucker, Unplayable! Excellent length from Avesh, around off, on a fuller length and shaping away, Lorcan Tucker tries to flick but is beaten all ends up by the away movement. The Powerplay is over, Ireland are in tatters at 22 for 3.
Lorcan Tucker walks out to the middle.
Avesh Khan to Gareth Delany, ! CAUGHT BEHIND! Back of a length, around off and holding its line, Gareth Delany rocks back and tries to slap it through the line but gets a faint inside edge to the keeper. Dinesh Karthik collects, the Indians appeal and Gareth Delany is seen walking. Ireland have started on the wrong note here. It's a 12-over game but still, you need to build partnerships.
Avesh Khan to Harry Tector, EDGY ! Avesh bowls it full but wide outside off, shaping away again, Harry Tector flashes his bat at it and edges it over the slip cordon for a boundary.
Avesh Khan to Gareth Delany, Beauty! A touch short and around off, moving away a shade off the seam, Gareth Delany steps back and tries to punch but misses.
Avesh Khan to Harry Tector, Fuller and on middle, Harry runs down the track to flick but gets it away off the inner edge. It deflects off his pads to mid on and they steal a run.
Avesh Khan to Harry Tector, Play and a miss! Avesh lands it on a length and outside off, getting it to shape away, Tector throws his bat at it but fails to connect.
Avesh Khan is into the attack now.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Harry Tector, Another overthrow conceded. Fullish and on off, Harry Tector drives it a bit uppishly towards mid on. The fielder has an unnecessary shy at the bowling end this time. He finds the stumps and it deflects towards square leg. The batters cross.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Harry Tector, Some late inswing this time. Full and outside off, Tector tries to drive but gets an inside edge onto the pads.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Harry Tector, Skillful bowling. Kumar serves another inswinger, this time on a length and outside off, Harry walks forward and tries to flick but misses. It goes off his thigh pad to backward point.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Gareth Delany, Inswinger this time, going down the leg side, Delany attempts to flick but misses. It goes off his pads to square leg and they collect a leg bye.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Gareth Delany, Again an outswinger landing on a length around off, Delany pushes it a bit aerially off the leading edge but it doesn't carry to mid off.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Harry Tector, Edgy! Again a little bit of movement for Kumar. He serves it on a length around middle, it moves away a bit after landing, Tector tries to flick but it takes the leading edge and scoots down to third man. They cross for a run.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Gareth Delany, Shout for an lbw, the finger has stayed down and India have decided to review the decision. Bhuvneshwar Kumar hurls across a length ball, around off and gets it to jag back in sharply off the seam. Gareth Delany tries to flick from the back foot but misses. He is pinged on the pads, but the umpire turns down the appeal. Ball Tracking shows that it's missing the stumps. India lose a review.
Hardik Pandya to Paul Stirling, Play and a miss! It's on a length and outside off, Paul Stirling throws his bat at it but it seams away to beat the outside edge.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Andy Balbirnie, ! BOWLED! The last delivery moved away from the batter and this one shapes back in a long way from outside off. It's on a length, Andy Balbirnie stays back to play it straight down but the ball nips in and goes through the gap to dislodge the bails. Early setback for the Irish team.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Andy Balbirnie, Delivers it on a good length and outside off, shaping away, Andy Balbirnie plays it down from the back foot to point.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Paul Stirling, Drifting down the leg side, Paul Stirling tries to flick but misses. It goes off his pads to fine leg and they cross for a leg bye. Ireland are away!
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Paul Stirling, Slightly short again, around off, Paul Stirling punches but finds the cover fielder.
Hardik Pandya to Gareth Delany, ! Fine shot! Hardik Pandya angles it in, around off on a good length, Gareth Delany stays on the back foot and cracks it through the gap at covers for a boundary.
Hardik Pandya to Gareth Delany, Well stopped by Hooda! On a good length and outside off, Delany blazes his shot at wide mid off where Hooda dives across to his left and makes a superb stop. He gets up and scores a direct hit at the bowler's end. The ball ricochets to deep mid-wicket and the batters collect two runs.
Hardik Pandya to Gareth Delany, Short and wide outside off, Gareth Delany flashes his bat at it and misses.
Hardik Pandya to Gareth Delany, Width there outside off, Delany stays back and runs it down to third man for a couple of runs.
Harry Tector is the next man in.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Paul Stirling, Misunderstanding straight away. Back of a length, around middle, Stirling defends it down towards square leg and Balbirnie comes out of the crease, in search of a run. The fielder has a shy but it hits the non-striker instead as he is sent back. The ball deflects down the ground but they decide not to take a run. Good sportsmanship!
Hardik Pandya to Paul Stirling, ! CAUGHT! Both the Irish openers have been sent packing in the first 8 balls. Hardik Pandya hurls across a length ball close to off, Paul Stirling sticks on the back foot and once again tries to chip it over the infield on the off side. This time though it flies off the toe end of his bat and Deepak Hooda backtracks a bit to secure the skier at wide mid off.
Hardik Pandya to Paul Stirling, ! This is how Paul Stirling bats. A little bit of width outside off, on a good length, Paul stays back and lofts it over covers for a boundary.
The skipper, Hardik Pandya starts from the other end.
Gareth Delany walks out at number 3.
We are done with all the talking and it's time for the action to begin now! Indian players have made their way out to the middle. Paul Stirling and Andy Balbirnie are the openers for Ireland. It will be Bhuvneshwar Kumar to start with the ball. He should enjoy these conditions. Here we go...
As we move closer to the start time, Suryakumar Yadav is seen on the field chatting with his teammates. This is a big positive for India that SKY is fit and raring to go again. He has been brilliant for India whenever he has played and let's hope he stays fit now.Â
We are minutes away from getting underway. The Indian bowlers are going through their warm-up drills. Here are the revised conditions. Powerplay will be of 4 overs and two bowlers can bowl a maximum of three overs apiece.Â
Update 10.50Â IST (5.20 pm GMT) -Â We have some good news, folks! The rain has stopped and the covers are coming off. We have decided to not get overexcited this time. But the next update is very promising. We have a START TIME! It's going to be a 12-overs-per-side game and the match is set to begin at 11.20 pm IST (5.50 pm GMT).Â
And here is my colleague with a witty reply on Sanju Samson playing the waiting game. He quips - 'Maybe the problem for the team management is that Sanju does not believe in the waiting game when he is batting.' Glad that he is not on social media, would have been trolled for this one-liner.
Apart from the fans cursing the rain and desperately waiting for Umran Malik to steam in and bowl, social media is also flooded with messages from a section of people feeling bad for Sanju Samson. The Rajasthan skipper, who led his team to the final in the recently concluded season of the Indian T20 League, failed to find a place in the starting XI of the second-string Indian team. To be honest, we all thought Samson will get the preference but the team management decided to go with Deepak Hooda
Update 10.25 pm IST (4.55 pm GMT) - Our joy lasted for just 9 minutes. Unfortunately, the rain has returned and so are the covers.
Update 10.16 pm IST (4.46 pm GMT) - The update we all were waiting for has arrived. Cricket Ireland tweets - 'The rain has stopped and the covers are coming off! There's still no word on a start time but some positive news.' Fingers crossed.
As the rain dance continues in Dublin, letâs just move away a bit eastwards and sneak into what is happening at Headingley. England are chasing a target of 296 there, they had lost 2 wickets with 51 on the board but the stand between Root and Pope has helped them recover and now they require below 200 to clean sweep New Zealand. One must say, England are the favourites going by the way this new England team under the leadership combo of Stokes and McCullum has played. You can switch tabs and
Update 9.57 pm IST (4.27 pm GMT) - 'The rain is light and the super sopper is at work, but there is no update on a start time as yet...' tweets the official handle of Cricket Ireland.Â
As we wait for the action to unfold here in Dublin, an Indian team in whites has completed its warm-up game against Leicestershire just some 430 km away from this Irish city. It seems that India had a decent outing with almost everyone spending some valuable time in the middle, especially in the second innings. In the batting department, Kohli, Jadeja and Gill scored the fifties while Pant and Srikar Bharat, the two Indian wicketkeepers, also had good outings with the bat. In the bowling departm
Update 9.33 pm IST (4.03 pm GMT) - It's raining now. The wait continues. Thick heavy clouds are still around. The umpires are on the ground, getting the latest information from the groundsmen. Let's hope for some better weather soon.
More than cricket, we have interviews to push as updates for now. Here is Ruturaj Gaikwad. The Indian opener says that it has been a good learning curve for him and representing India is something you dream of. Adds that you learn a lot when you play with top players and he praises Hardik Pandya for his captaincy during the recently concluded Indian T20 League. Gaikwad is excited to play under Pandya. He reckons that batting in Ireland is going to be challenging. Shares that the preparation we
Update 9.11 pm IST (3.41 pm GMT) - Unfortunately, the covers are still on. The rain has stopped but it looks more like a precautionary move to keep the covers on as the dark clouds are still hovering over the ground. We can see India's head coach for this series, VVS Laxman, having a word with the match officials. Later on, the two umpires were seen chatting with the two captains as well. Not sure what was said! We will let you know if we get any updates. Stay tuned.
We had a short burst of rain after the toss but luckily it looks clear now and Alan Wilkins (on air) informs us that we will most probably have a full game here. We trust you, Wilko!
Avesh Khan is down for a quick chat. He says that the ball swings here and he will try his best to make good use of any help that bowlers will get. Adds that it is a proud moment for him to represent India and he considers every match as a new beginning and tries to learn from every game. Mentions that he tries to learn from Bhuvneshwar Kumar on how the pitch is behaving as he bowls the first over most of the time and shares that he enjoys practising with the other bowlers. Tells that it is ju
Ireland (Playing XI) - Andy Balbirnie (C), Paul Stirling, Gareth Delany, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker (WK), George Dockrell, Mark Adair, Andy McBrine, Craig Young, Josh Little, Conor Olphert.
Andy Balbirnie, the skipper of Ireland, says that they would have bowled first as the covers were on and there will be some help for the bowlers. Tells that the squad is brilliant and the guys are very excited and they will look to play a good brand of cricket. Mentions that playing India is great and it is good for the game in Ireland and to have a full house at Malahide is excellent. Talks about the new coach and shares that he is getting along with the team quite well. Informs that Conor O
Hardik Pandya, the captain of India, says that they want to bowl first looking at the forecast, otherwise they would have batted first. Adds that Ireland is showing the three kinds of weather and it is all over the place. Says that he is looking forward to the two upcoming games. Mentions that it's an honour for him to lead India and a special moment in his life. Tells that they all are professionals and his role is simple, just to back his players. Confirms that Umran Malik is making his debut
Toss time! Just a delay of around 7 minutes and we can see Hardik Pandya and Andy Balbirnie walk out in the middle. Andy Balbirnie tosses the coin up and it lands in favour of Hardik Pandya. INDIA WILL BOWL FIRST!
Welcome back, folks! The Irish team is on the field. Ruturaj Gaikwad and Ishan Kishan to open for India. They will be looking to start off sensibly before taking on the bowler. There will be some movement with the new ball and Ireland have the seamers to make the ball talk. The start is very crucial here for both teams.Â
... CHASE TIME ...
Avesh Khan to Harry Tector, Fuller in length and around leg, Harry Tector whips it to deep square leg and the fielder slips there while stopping the ball. The batters get two runs. Ireland finish on 108 for 4.
The Indian bowling was brilliant in the first four overs but then they lost the plot once Harry Tector started to score freely. There was a hype around Umran Malik's debut but he went for 18 runs in his first over and never returned. Yuzvendra Chahal was the best bowler on show and apart from him, Bhuvneshwar Kumar was also excellent. This is certainly a challenging total and India will have to apply themselves in the chase. Do join us in a short while to find out how it goes...
A smart recovery from Ireland after losing three quick wickets inside the Powerplay. Harry Tector started a counter-attack and his partnership with Lorcan Tucker brought the Irish innings back on track. Tector went on to make a 33-ball 64 and his knock single-handedly took Ireland over the 100-run mark.
Avesh Khan to Harry Tector, ! Smashed away! Khan misses his yorker and ends up bowling a full toss, around off. Tector makes room and slams it over deep extra cover for a maximum.
Avesh Khan to Harry Tector, Dropped! A fullish slower delivery, outside off. Tector makes room and slices it towards deep extra-cover. It goes high in the air and Patel running to his left reaches the ball but fails to pouch it. Two taken.
Avesh Khan to Harry Tector, ! This has been a gem of an innings from Harry Tector! A full toss on middle and leg. Tector reverse-scoops it towards the third man fence for a boundary. This has been a good recovery from Ireland!
Avesh Khan to Harry Tector, WIDE! Full and way wide outside off, Tector goes chasing for it but misses.
Avesh Khan to George Dockrell, Fuller delivery again, on off. George Dockrell mistimes his drive towards the cover fielder in the ring, and he goes for a single.
Avesh Khan to Harry Tector, FIFTY for Harry Tector! A brilliant knock from the young man, he has taken his team to a respectable total here! A very full ball on middle, Tector digs it out to long on for a single.
Avesh Khan to bowl the final over.
Yuzvendra Chahal to George Dockrell, This is a googly again, that pitches around leg, George Dockrell looks to heave it across the line but misses. Luckily for him, the ball turns in and just misses the leg stump. 3-0-11-1, exceptional from Chahal.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Harry Tector, Chahal with a quicker one on off, Tector pushes it to covers for just a single.
Yuzvendra Chahal to George Dockrell, This is fuller on off. George Dockrell swings his bat across the line but hits it straight to long on, along the ground, for a single.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Harry Tector, Goes flatter and quicker on off, Tector makes a bit of room and pushes it to covers for a single.
Yuzvendra Chahal to George Dockrell, A fuller delivery on middle. George Dockrell drills it straight down the ground and the fielder at long on moves to his left and cuts it off. A single taken.
Yuzvendra Chahal to George Dockrell, This is a googly, around leg. George Dockrell backs away and looks to heave it away but misses.
Will Yuzvendra Chahal continue? Yes, he is.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to George Dockrell, On a length, around off. George Dockrell opens the face of his blade and guides it towards deep point for a single. With the last two overs remaining, how many more can Ireland get?
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Harry Tector, Shortish length, outside off. Tector cuts to deep point this time for a single.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Harry Tector, Short and outside off, Tector cuts it but straight to the backward point fielder.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Harry Tector, ! What a superb shot this is! Fuller in length, around off, Tector strides forward and lofts it nonchalantly over covers for a biggie. Not an easy shot to play but he has nailed it.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Harry Tector, On a length, on middle. Tector works it towards deep mid-wicket for a couple.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar returns to bowl, another three overs left in the innings.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Harry Tector, ! Bhuvneshwar Kumar is greeted in his new spell with a boundary! Short and outside off, Tector makes room and slaps it towards deep cover-point. The fielder in the deep runs to his right and dives to stop. He collects the ball but ends up sliding into the rope. A boundary for Tector!
Yuzvendra Chahal to George Dockrell, This is pushed quicker and shorter, around off. George Dockrell cuts but finds the fielder at covers. Just 4 runs from the over and a wicket for Chahal, brilliant stuff!
Yuzvendra Chahal to Harry Tector, On middle and fuller. Tector works it towards the leg side for a single.
George Dockrell walks in next.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Lorcan Tucker, ! CAUGHT! Yuzvendra Chahal strikes as Lorcan Tucker holes out in the deep! Tossed up, landing full and outside off. Tucker goes down on one knee for the slog-sweep but has to fetch it. He connects but fails to get enough distance and Axar Patel at deep mid-wicket takes a fine catch. Chahal breaks this good partnership for Ireland!
Yuzvendra Chahal to Harry Tector, Tossed up, outside off. Tector drives it to long off for a single. The 50-run stand comes up.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Lorcan Tucker, This is a lot fuller, around leg, Tucker makes a bit of room and looks to sweep it but misses. The ball hits his pads and goes towards the off side. A leg bye is taken.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Harry Tector, A flatter delivery on leg. Tector punches it towards deep mid-wicket for a single.
Hardik Pandya to Lorcan Tucker, A length delivery on middle, slower in pace. Tucker looks to work it towards the leg side but mistimes it onto the turf. 13 from the over!
Hardik Pandya to Lorcan Tucker, ! Another good shot from Tucker! Pandya delivers it on a length, around middle, Tucker stays deep in his crease and launches it over deep mid-wicket for a maximum.
Hardik Pandya to Lorcan Tucker, ! This time he connects and it sails over the square leg fence! Pandya goes short and on off but it's a pacy delivery this time and Tucker hooks it over deep square leg for a maximum.
Hardik Pandya to Lorcan Tucker, Change of pace! An off-pace short delivery, around off. Tucker looks to pull it away but misses.
Hardik Pandya to Harry Tector, Shortish length again, around off. Tector pushes it to covers and takes a single. Ireland need boundaries here!
Hardik Pandya returns to bowl his second over. He picked up the prized scalp of Paul Stirling and went for 13 runs in his opening over.
Hardik Pandya to Harry Tector, Pandya hits the hard length on middle, Tector skips down the track but only manages to push it back to the bowler.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Harry Tector, Another googly angling into leg. Tector works it to deep mid-wicket for another single. Tidy start from Chahal!
Yuzvendra Chahal to Lorcan Tucker, A half-tracker on middle. Tucker pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Harry Tector, A flighted delivery on middle, Tector flicks it to wide long on for a single.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Lorcan Tucker, Slower through the air on middle, Tucker comes down the track and looks to clip it away but gets hit on the pads again.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Lorcan Tucker, Tosses this up again on middle, Tucker sweeps it to fine leg for a single.
Umran Malik to Harry Tector, ! Fighting fire with fire. Umran Malik bangs it in short, around off at 145 kph, Harry Tector hangs on the back foot and hammer-pulls it over deep square leg for a biggie. 50 up! 18 from Umran's first over in international cricket.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Lorcan Tucker, Chahal starts with a googly on middle and leg. Tucker goes back and looks to work it towards the leg side but misses. The ball hits his pads and rolls towards the off side.
Yuzvendra Chahal is into the attack now.
Umran Malik to Harry Tector, Wide! Umran Malik has not got his radar yet. A low full toss, way down the leg side at 143 kph, the batter tries to flick but misses.
Umran Malik to Harry Tector, ! The crowd goes silent. Umran Malik delivers it from wide of the crease. It's full and around middle at 142 kph, Harry Tector shows the full face of his bat and caresses it down the ground for a boundary at long on.
Umran Malik to Lorcan Tucker, Back of a length, around off at 140 kph, Lorcan Tucker guides it down to third man for a run.
Umran Malik to Lorcan Tucker, LEG BYES! Umran goes full but it's down the leg side at 143 kph. Tucker fails to flick and it goes off his boots to the fine leg fence.
Umran Malik to Harry Tector, A 145 kph delivery, full and around off, Tector keeps it out off the inner edge to square leg and they cross.
Is that a run out? Axar Patel has fired a direct hit at the bowler's end. However, the replays show that Harry Tector is well inside his crease. He will continue.
Umran Malik to Lorcan Tucker, Fuller and around off, driven through covers for a run.
Axar Patel to Lorcan Tucker, Loopy and full, around off, it's swept along the ground to deep square leg for a run. 12 from the over!
Axar Patel to Harry Tector, NOT ! Fuller and around off, skidding in, Tector keeps it out off the inner half to mid-wicket and Tucker comes out of the crease, looking for a run. His partner responds as Axar attacks the ball. The bowler scores a direct hit at his end and they appeal. The third umpire is referred. Harry Tector is found to be safe in the replays.
Axar Patel to Harry Tector, ! Gorgeous! This time Tector goes aerial, plays an inside-out shot over covers and sends it almost over the fence. A boundary is signalled.
Axar Patel to Harry Tector, ! That's a good drive! Very full and wide outside off, Harry Tector latches onto the width and drills it through extra cover.
Axar Patel to Lorcan Tucker, Loopy and full, around off, Tucker tucks it through mid-wicket for a single.
Axar Patel to Harry Tector, Tossed up around off, driven through covers for a single.
Time for some spin now. Axar Patel is into the attack.
Avesh Khan to Lorcan Tucker, Unplayable! Excellent length from Avesh, around off, on a fuller length and shaping away, Lorcan Tucker tries to flick but is beaten all ends up by the away movement. The Powerplay is over, Ireland are in tatters at 22 for 3.
Lorcan Tucker walks out to the middle.
Avesh Khan to Gareth Delany, ! CAUGHT BEHIND! Back of a length, around off and holding its line, Gareth Delany rocks back and tries to slap it through the line but gets a faint inside edge to the keeper. Dinesh Karthik collects, the Indians appeal and Gareth Delany is seen walking. Ireland have started on the wrong note here. It's a 12-over game but still, you need to build partnerships.
Avesh Khan to Harry Tector, EDGY ! Avesh bowls it full but wide outside off, shaping away again, Harry Tector flashes his bat at it and edges it over the slip cordon for a boundary.
Avesh Khan to Gareth Delany, Beauty! A touch short and around off, moving away a shade off the seam, Gareth Delany steps back and tries to punch but misses.
Avesh Khan to Harry Tector, Fuller and on middle, Harry runs down the track to flick but gets it away off the inner edge. It deflects off his pads to mid on and they steal a run.
Avesh Khan to Harry Tector, Play and a miss! Avesh lands it on a length and outside off, getting it to shape away, Tector throws his bat at it but fails to connect.
Avesh Khan is into the attack now.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Harry Tector, Another overthrow conceded. Fullish and on off, Harry Tector drives it a bit uppishly towards mid on. The fielder has an unnecessary shy at the bowling end this time. He finds the stumps and it deflects towards square leg. The batters cross.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Harry Tector, Some late inswing this time. Full and outside off, Tector tries to drive but gets an inside edge onto the pads.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Harry Tector, Skillful bowling. Kumar serves another inswinger, this time on a length and outside off, Harry walks forward and tries to flick but misses. It goes off his thigh pad to backward point.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Gareth Delany, Inswinger this time, going down the leg side, Delany attempts to flick but misses. It goes off his pads to square leg and they collect a leg bye.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Gareth Delany, Again an outswinger landing on a length around off, Delany pushes it a bit aerially off the leading edge but it doesn't carry to mid off.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Harry Tector, Edgy! Again a little bit of movement for Kumar. He serves it on a length around middle, it moves away a bit after landing, Tector tries to flick but it takes the leading edge and scoots down to third man. They cross for a run.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Gareth Delany, Shout for an lbw, the finger has stayed down and India have decided to review the decision. Bhuvneshwar Kumar hurls across a length ball, around off and gets it to jag back in sharply off the seam. Gareth Delany tries to flick from the back foot but misses. He is pinged on the pads, but the umpire turns down the appeal. Ball Tracking shows that it's missing the stumps. India lose a review.
Hardik Pandya to Paul Stirling, Play and a miss! It's on a length and outside off, Paul Stirling throws his bat at it but it seams away to beat the outside edge.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Andy Balbirnie, ! BOWLED! The last delivery moved away from the batter and this one shapes back in a long way from outside off. It's on a length, Andy Balbirnie stays back to play it straight down but the ball nips in and goes through the gap to dislodge the bails. Early setback for the Irish team.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Andy Balbirnie, Delivers it on a good length and outside off, shaping away, Andy Balbirnie plays it down from the back foot to point.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Paul Stirling, Drifting down the leg side, Paul Stirling tries to flick but misses. It goes off his pads to fine leg and they cross for a leg bye. Ireland are away!
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Paul Stirling, Slightly short again, around off, Paul Stirling punches but finds the cover fielder.
Hardik Pandya to Gareth Delany, ! Fine shot! Hardik Pandya angles it in, around off on a good length, Gareth Delany stays on the back foot and cracks it through the gap at covers for a boundary.
Hardik Pandya to Gareth Delany, Well stopped by Hooda! On a good length and outside off, Delany blazes his shot at wide mid off where Hooda dives across to his left and makes a superb stop. He gets up and scores a direct hit at the bowler's end. The ball ricochets to deep mid-wicket and the batters collect two runs.
Hardik Pandya to Gareth Delany, Short and wide outside off, Gareth Delany flashes his bat at it and misses.
Hardik Pandya to Gareth Delany, Width there outside off, Delany stays back and runs it down to third man for a couple of runs.
Harry Tector is the next man in.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Paul Stirling, Misunderstanding straight away. Back of a length, around middle, Stirling defends it down towards square leg and Balbirnie comes out of the crease, in search of a run. The fielder has a shy but it hits the non-striker instead as he is sent back. The ball deflects down the ground but they decide not to take a run. Good sportsmanship!
Hardik Pandya to Paul Stirling, ! CAUGHT! Both the Irish openers have been sent packing in the first 8 balls. Hardik Pandya hurls across a length ball close to off, Paul Stirling sticks on the back foot and once again tries to chip it over the infield on the off side. This time though it flies off the toe end of his bat and Deepak Hooda backtracks a bit to secure the skier at wide mid off.
Hardik Pandya to Paul Stirling, ! This is how Paul Stirling bats. A little bit of width outside off, on a good length, Paul stays back and lofts it over covers for a boundary.
The skipper, Hardik Pandya starts from the other end.
Gareth Delany walks out at number 3.
We are done with all the talking and it's time for the action to begin now! Indian players have made their way out to the middle. Paul Stirling and Andy Balbirnie are the openers for Ireland. It will be Bhuvneshwar Kumar to start with the ball. He should enjoy these conditions. Here we go...
As we move closer to the start time, Suryakumar Yadav is seen on the field chatting with his teammates. This is a big positive for India that SKY is fit and raring to go again. He has been brilliant for India whenever he has played and let's hope he stays fit now.Â
We are minutes away from getting underway. The Indian bowlers are going through their warm-up drills. Here are the revised conditions. Powerplay will be of 4 overs and two bowlers can bowl a maximum of three overs apiece.Â
Update 10.50Â IST (5.20 pm GMT) -Â We have some good news, folks! The rain has stopped and the covers are coming off. We have decided to not get overexcited this time. But the next update is very promising. We have a START TIME! It's going to be a 12-overs-per-side game and the match is set to begin at 11.20 pm IST (5.50 pm GMT).Â
And here is my colleague with a witty reply on Sanju Samson playing the waiting game. He quips - 'Maybe the problem for the team management is that Sanju does not believe in the waiting game when he is batting.' Glad that he is not on social media, would have been trolled for this one-liner.
Apart from the fans cursing the rain and desperately waiting for Umran Malik to steam in and bowl, social media is also flooded with messages from a section of people feeling bad for Sanju Samson. The Rajasthan skipper, who led his team to the final in the recently concluded season of the Indian T20 League, failed to find a place in the starting XI of the second-string Indian team. To be honest, we all thought Samson will get the preference but the team management decided to go with Deepak Hooda
Update 10.25 pm IST (4.55 pm GMT) - Our joy lasted for just 9 minutes. Unfortunately, the rain has returned and so are the covers.
Update 10.16 pm IST (4.46 pm GMT) - The update we all were waiting for has arrived. Cricket Ireland tweets - 'The rain has stopped and the covers are coming off! There's still no word on a start time but some positive news.' Fingers crossed.
As the rain dance continues in Dublin, letâs just move away a bit eastwards and sneak into what is happening at Headingley. England are chasing a target of 296 there, they had lost 2 wickets with 51 on the board but the stand between Root and Pope has helped them recover and now they require below 200 to clean sweep New Zealand. One must say, England are the favourites going by the way this new England team under the leadership combo of Stokes and McCullum has played. You can switch tabs and
Update 9.57 pm IST (4.27 pm GMT) - 'The rain is light and the super sopper is at work, but there is no update on a start time as yet...' tweets the official handle of Cricket Ireland.Â
As we wait for the action to unfold here in Dublin, an Indian team in whites has completed its warm-up game against Leicestershire just some 430 km away from this Irish city. It seems that India had a decent outing with almost everyone spending some valuable time in the middle, especially in the second innings. In the batting department, Kohli, Jadeja and Gill scored the fifties while Pant and Srikar Bharat, the two Indian wicketkeepers, also had good outings with the bat. In the bowling departm
Update 9.33 pm IST (4.03 pm GMT) - It's raining now. The wait continues. Thick heavy clouds are still around. The umpires are on the ground, getting the latest information from the groundsmen. Let's hope for some better weather soon.
More than cricket, we have interviews to push as updates for now. Here is Ruturaj Gaikwad. The Indian opener says that it has been a good learning curve for him and representing India is something you dream of. Adds that you learn a lot when you play with top players and he praises Hardik Pandya for his captaincy during the recently concluded Indian T20 League. Gaikwad is excited to play under Pandya. He reckons that batting in Ireland is going to be challenging. Shares that the preparation we
Update 9.11 pm IST (3.41 pm GMT) - Unfortunately, the covers are still on. The rain has stopped but it looks more like a precautionary move to keep the covers on as the dark clouds are still hovering over the ground. We can see India's head coach for this series, VVS Laxman, having a word with the match officials. Later on, the two umpires were seen chatting with the two captains as well. Not sure what was said! We will let you know if we get any updates. Stay tuned.
We had a short burst of rain after the toss but luckily it looks clear now and Alan Wilkins (on air) informs us that we will most probably have a full game here. We trust you, Wilko!
Avesh Khan is down for a quick chat. He says that the ball swings here and he will try his best to make good use of any help that bowlers will get. Adds that it is a proud moment for him to represent India and he considers every match as a new beginning and tries to learn from every game. Mentions that he tries to learn from Bhuvneshwar Kumar on how the pitch is behaving as he bowls the first over most of the time and shares that he enjoys practising with the other bowlers. Tells that it is ju
Ireland (Playing XI) - Andy Balbirnie (C), Paul Stirling, Gareth Delany, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker (WK), George Dockrell, Mark Adair, Andy McBrine, Craig Young, Josh Little, Conor Olphert.
Andy Balbirnie, the skipper of Ireland, says that they would have bowled first as the covers were on and there will be some help for the bowlers. Tells that the squad is brilliant and the guys are very excited and they will look to play a good brand of cricket. Mentions that playing India is great and it is good for the game in Ireland and to have a full house at Malahide is excellent. Talks about the new coach and shares that he is getting along with the team quite well. Informs that Conor O
Hardik Pandya, the captain of India, says that they want to bowl first looking at the forecast, otherwise they would have batted first. Adds that Ireland is showing the three kinds of weather and it is all over the place. Says that he is looking forward to the two upcoming games. Mentions that it's an honour for him to lead India and a special moment in his life. Tells that they all are professionals and his role is simple, just to back his players. Confirms that Umran Malik is making his debut
Toss time! Just a delay of around 7 minutes and we can see Hardik Pandya and Andy Balbirnie walk out in the middle. Andy Balbirnie tosses the coin up and it lands in favour of Hardik Pandya. INDIA WILL BOWL FIRST!
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India
111/3(9.2 Overs)
Welcome back, folks! The Irish team is on the field. Ruturaj Gaikwad and Ishan Kishan to open for India. They will be looking to start off sensibly before taking on the bowler. There will be some movement with the new ball and Ireland have the seamers to make the ball talk. The start is very crucial here for both teams.Â
... CHASE TIME ...
Avesh Khan to Harry Tector, Fuller in length and around leg, Harry Tector whips it to deep square leg and the fielder slips there while stopping the ball. The batters get two runs. Ireland finish on 108 for 4.
The Indian bowling was brilliant in the first four overs but then they lost the plot once Harry Tector started to score freely. There was a hype around Umran Malik's debut but he went for 18 runs in his first over and never returned. Yuzvendra Chahal was the best bowler on show and apart from him, Bhuvneshwar Kumar was also excellent. This is certainly a challenging total and India will have to apply themselves in the chase. Do join us in a short while to find out how it goes...
A smart recovery from Ireland after losing three quick wickets inside the Powerplay. Harry Tector started a counter-attack and his partnership with Lorcan Tucker brought the Irish innings back on track. Tector went on to make a 33-ball 64 and his knock single-handedly took Ireland over the 100-run mark.
Avesh Khan to Harry Tector, ! Smashed away! Khan misses his yorker and ends up bowling a full toss, around off. Tector makes room and slams it over deep extra cover for a maximum.
Avesh Khan to Harry Tector, Dropped! A fullish slower delivery, outside off. Tector makes room and slices it towards deep extra-cover. It goes high in the air and Patel running to his left reaches the ball but fails to pouch it. Two taken.
Avesh Khan to Harry Tector, ! This has been a gem of an innings from Harry Tector! A full toss on middle and leg. Tector reverse-scoops it towards the third man fence for a boundary. This has been a good recovery from Ireland!
Avesh Khan to Harry Tector, WIDE! Full and way wide outside off, Tector goes chasing for it but misses.
Avesh Khan to George Dockrell, Fuller delivery again, on off. George Dockrell mistimes his drive towards the cover fielder in the ring, and he goes for a single.
Avesh Khan to Harry Tector, FIFTY for Harry Tector! A brilliant knock from the young man, he has taken his team to a respectable total here! A very full ball on middle, Tector digs it out to long on for a single.
Avesh Khan to bowl the final over.
Yuzvendra Chahal to George Dockrell, This is a googly again, that pitches around leg, George Dockrell looks to heave it across the line but misses. Luckily for him, the ball turns in and just misses the leg stump. 3-0-11-1, exceptional from Chahal.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Harry Tector, Chahal with a quicker one on off, Tector pushes it to covers for just a single.
Yuzvendra Chahal to George Dockrell, This is fuller on off. George Dockrell swings his bat across the line but hits it straight to long on, along the ground, for a single.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Harry Tector, Goes flatter and quicker on off, Tector makes a bit of room and pushes it to covers for a single.
Yuzvendra Chahal to George Dockrell, A fuller delivery on middle. George Dockrell drills it straight down the ground and the fielder at long on moves to his left and cuts it off. A single taken.
Yuzvendra Chahal to George Dockrell, This is a googly, around leg. George Dockrell backs away and looks to heave it away but misses.
Will Yuzvendra Chahal continue? Yes, he is.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to George Dockrell, On a length, around off. George Dockrell opens the face of his blade and guides it towards deep point for a single. With the last two overs remaining, how many more can Ireland get?
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Harry Tector, Shortish length, outside off. Tector cuts to deep point this time for a single.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Harry Tector, Short and outside off, Tector cuts it but straight to the backward point fielder.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Harry Tector, ! What a superb shot this is! Fuller in length, around off, Tector strides forward and lofts it nonchalantly over covers for a biggie. Not an easy shot to play but he has nailed it.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Harry Tector, On a length, on middle. Tector works it towards deep mid-wicket for a couple.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar returns to bowl, another three overs left in the innings.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Harry Tector, ! Bhuvneshwar Kumar is greeted in his new spell with a boundary! Short and outside off, Tector makes room and slaps it towards deep cover-point. The fielder in the deep runs to his right and dives to stop. He collects the ball but ends up sliding into the rope. A boundary for Tector!
Yuzvendra Chahal to George Dockrell, This is pushed quicker and shorter, around off. George Dockrell cuts but finds the fielder at covers. Just 4 runs from the over and a wicket for Chahal, brilliant stuff!
Yuzvendra Chahal to Harry Tector, On middle and fuller. Tector works it towards the leg side for a single.
George Dockrell walks in next.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Lorcan Tucker, ! CAUGHT! Yuzvendra Chahal strikes as Lorcan Tucker holes out in the deep! Tossed up, landing full and outside off. Tucker goes down on one knee for the slog-sweep but has to fetch it. He connects but fails to get enough distance and Axar Patel at deep mid-wicket takes a fine catch. Chahal breaks this good partnership for Ireland!
Yuzvendra Chahal to Harry Tector, Tossed up, outside off. Tector drives it to long off for a single. The 50-run stand comes up.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Lorcan Tucker, This is a lot fuller, around leg, Tucker makes a bit of room and looks to sweep it but misses. The ball hits his pads and goes towards the off side. A leg bye is taken.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Harry Tector, A flatter delivery on leg. Tector punches it towards deep mid-wicket for a single.
Hardik Pandya to Lorcan Tucker, A length delivery on middle, slower in pace. Tucker looks to work it towards the leg side but mistimes it onto the turf. 13 from the over!
Hardik Pandya to Lorcan Tucker, ! Another good shot from Tucker! Pandya delivers it on a length, around middle, Tucker stays deep in his crease and launches it over deep mid-wicket for a maximum.
Hardik Pandya to Lorcan Tucker, ! This time he connects and it sails over the square leg fence! Pandya goes short and on off but it's a pacy delivery this time and Tucker hooks it over deep square leg for a maximum.
Hardik Pandya to Lorcan Tucker, Change of pace! An off-pace short delivery, around off. Tucker looks to pull it away but misses.
Hardik Pandya to Harry Tector, Shortish length again, around off. Tector pushes it to covers and takes a single. Ireland need boundaries here!
Hardik Pandya returns to bowl his second over. He picked up the prized scalp of Paul Stirling and went for 13 runs in his opening over.
Hardik Pandya to Harry Tector, Pandya hits the hard length on middle, Tector skips down the track but only manages to push it back to the bowler.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Harry Tector, Another googly angling into leg. Tector works it to deep mid-wicket for another single. Tidy start from Chahal!
Yuzvendra Chahal to Lorcan Tucker, A half-tracker on middle. Tucker pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Harry Tector, A flighted delivery on middle, Tector flicks it to wide long on for a single.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Lorcan Tucker, Slower through the air on middle, Tucker comes down the track and looks to clip it away but gets hit on the pads again.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Lorcan Tucker, Tosses this up again on middle, Tucker sweeps it to fine leg for a single.
Umran Malik to Harry Tector, ! Fighting fire with fire. Umran Malik bangs it in short, around off at 145 kph, Harry Tector hangs on the back foot and hammer-pulls it over deep square leg for a biggie. 50 up! 18 from Umran's first over in international cricket.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Lorcan Tucker, Chahal starts with a googly on middle and leg. Tucker goes back and looks to work it towards the leg side but misses. The ball hits his pads and rolls towards the off side.
Yuzvendra Chahal is into the attack now.
Umran Malik to Harry Tector, Wide! Umran Malik has not got his radar yet. A low full toss, way down the leg side at 143 kph, the batter tries to flick but misses.
Umran Malik to Harry Tector, ! The crowd goes silent. Umran Malik delivers it from wide of the crease. It's full and around middle at 142 kph, Harry Tector shows the full face of his bat and caresses it down the ground for a boundary at long on.
Umran Malik to Lorcan Tucker, Back of a length, around off at 140 kph, Lorcan Tucker guides it down to third man for a run.
Umran Malik to Lorcan Tucker, LEG BYES! Umran goes full but it's down the leg side at 143 kph. Tucker fails to flick and it goes off his boots to the fine leg fence.
Umran Malik to Harry Tector, A 145 kph delivery, full and around off, Tector keeps it out off the inner edge to square leg and they cross.
Is that a run out? Axar Patel has fired a direct hit at the bowler's end. However, the replays show that Harry Tector is well inside his crease. He will continue.
Umran Malik to Lorcan Tucker, Fuller and around off, driven through covers for a run.
Axar Patel to Lorcan Tucker, Loopy and full, around off, it's swept along the ground to deep square leg for a run. 12 from the over!
Axar Patel to Harry Tector, NOT ! Fuller and around off, skidding in, Tector keeps it out off the inner half to mid-wicket and Tucker comes out of the crease, looking for a run. His partner responds as Axar attacks the ball. The bowler scores a direct hit at his end and they appeal. The third umpire is referred. Harry Tector is found to be safe in the replays.
Axar Patel to Harry Tector, ! Gorgeous! This time Tector goes aerial, plays an inside-out shot over covers and sends it almost over the fence. A boundary is signalled.
Axar Patel to Harry Tector, ! That's a good drive! Very full and wide outside off, Harry Tector latches onto the width and drills it through extra cover.
Axar Patel to Lorcan Tucker, Loopy and full, around off, Tucker tucks it through mid-wicket for a single.
Axar Patel to Harry Tector, Tossed up around off, driven through covers for a single.
Time for some spin now. Axar Patel is into the attack.
Avesh Khan to Lorcan Tucker, Unplayable! Excellent length from Avesh, around off, on a fuller length and shaping away, Lorcan Tucker tries to flick but is beaten all ends up by the away movement. The Powerplay is over, Ireland are in tatters at 22 for 3.
Lorcan Tucker walks out to the middle.
Avesh Khan to Gareth Delany, ! CAUGHT BEHIND! Back of a length, around off and holding its line, Gareth Delany rocks back and tries to slap it through the line but gets a faint inside edge to the keeper. Dinesh Karthik collects, the Indians appeal and Gareth Delany is seen walking. Ireland have started on the wrong note here. It's a 12-over game but still, you need to build partnerships.
Avesh Khan to Harry Tector, EDGY ! Avesh bowls it full but wide outside off, shaping away again, Harry Tector flashes his bat at it and edges it over the slip cordon for a boundary.
Avesh Khan to Gareth Delany, Beauty! A touch short and around off, moving away a shade off the seam, Gareth Delany steps back and tries to punch but misses.
Avesh Khan to Harry Tector, Fuller and on middle, Harry runs down the track to flick but gets it away off the inner edge. It deflects off his pads to mid on and they steal a run.
Avesh Khan to Harry Tector, Play and a miss! Avesh lands it on a length and outside off, getting it to shape away, Tector throws his bat at it but fails to connect.
Avesh Khan is into the attack now.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Harry Tector, Another overthrow conceded. Fullish and on off, Harry Tector drives it a bit uppishly towards mid on. The fielder has an unnecessary shy at the bowling end this time. He finds the stumps and it deflects towards square leg. The batters cross.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Harry Tector, Some late inswing this time. Full and outside off, Tector tries to drive but gets an inside edge onto the pads.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Harry Tector, Skillful bowling. Kumar serves another inswinger, this time on a length and outside off, Harry walks forward and tries to flick but misses. It goes off his thigh pad to backward point.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Gareth Delany, Inswinger this time, going down the leg side, Delany attempts to flick but misses. It goes off his pads to square leg and they collect a leg bye.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Gareth Delany, Again an outswinger landing on a length around off, Delany pushes it a bit aerially off the leading edge but it doesn't carry to mid off.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Harry Tector, Edgy! Again a little bit of movement for Kumar. He serves it on a length around middle, it moves away a bit after landing, Tector tries to flick but it takes the leading edge and scoots down to third man. They cross for a run.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Gareth Delany, Shout for an lbw, the finger has stayed down and India have decided to review the decision. Bhuvneshwar Kumar hurls across a length ball, around off and gets it to jag back in sharply off the seam. Gareth Delany tries to flick from the back foot but misses. He is pinged on the pads, but the umpire turns down the appeal. Ball Tracking shows that it's missing the stumps. India lose a review.
Hardik Pandya to Paul Stirling, Play and a miss! It's on a length and outside off, Paul Stirling throws his bat at it but it seams away to beat the outside edge.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Andy Balbirnie, ! BOWLED! The last delivery moved away from the batter and this one shapes back in a long way from outside off. It's on a length, Andy Balbirnie stays back to play it straight down but the ball nips in and goes through the gap to dislodge the bails. Early setback for the Irish team.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Andy Balbirnie, Delivers it on a good length and outside off, shaping away, Andy Balbirnie plays it down from the back foot to point.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Paul Stirling, Drifting down the leg side, Paul Stirling tries to flick but misses. It goes off his pads to fine leg and they cross for a leg bye. Ireland are away!
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Paul Stirling, Slightly short again, around off, Paul Stirling punches but finds the cover fielder.
Hardik Pandya to Gareth Delany, ! Fine shot! Hardik Pandya angles it in, around off on a good length, Gareth Delany stays on the back foot and cracks it through the gap at covers for a boundary.
Hardik Pandya to Gareth Delany, Well stopped by Hooda! On a good length and outside off, Delany blazes his shot at wide mid off where Hooda dives across to his left and makes a superb stop. He gets up and scores a direct hit at the bowler's end. The ball ricochets to deep mid-wicket and the batters collect two runs.
Hardik Pandya to Gareth Delany, Short and wide outside off, Gareth Delany flashes his bat at it and misses.
Hardik Pandya to Gareth Delany, Width there outside off, Delany stays back and runs it down to third man for a couple of runs.
Harry Tector is the next man in.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Paul Stirling, Misunderstanding straight away. Back of a length, around middle, Stirling defends it down towards square leg and Balbirnie comes out of the crease, in search of a run. The fielder has a shy but it hits the non-striker instead as he is sent back. The ball deflects down the ground but they decide not to take a run. Good sportsmanship!
Hardik Pandya to Paul Stirling, ! CAUGHT! Both the Irish openers have been sent packing in the first 8 balls. Hardik Pandya hurls across a length ball close to off, Paul Stirling sticks on the back foot and once again tries to chip it over the infield on the off side. This time though it flies off the toe end of his bat and Deepak Hooda backtracks a bit to secure the skier at wide mid off.
Hardik Pandya to Paul Stirling, ! This is how Paul Stirling bats. A little bit of width outside off, on a good length, Paul stays back and lofts it over covers for a boundary.
The skipper, Hardik Pandya starts from the other end.
Gareth Delany walks out at number 3.
We are done with all the talking and it's time for the action to begin now! Indian players have made their way out to the middle. Paul Stirling and Andy Balbirnie are the openers for Ireland. It will be Bhuvneshwar Kumar to start with the ball. He should enjoy these conditions. Here we go...
As we move closer to the start time, Suryakumar Yadav is seen on the field chatting with his teammates. This is a big positive for India that SKY is fit and raring to go again. He has been brilliant for India whenever he has played and let's hope he stays fit now.Â
We are minutes away from getting underway. The Indian bowlers are going through their warm-up drills. Here are the revised conditions. Powerplay will be of 4 overs and two bowlers can bowl a maximum of three overs apiece.Â
Update 10.50Â IST (5.20 pm GMT) -Â We have some good news, folks! The rain has stopped and the covers are coming off. We have decided to not get overexcited this time. But the next update is very promising. We have a START TIME! It's going to be a 12-overs-per-side game and the match is set to begin at 11.20 pm IST (5.50 pm GMT).Â
And here is my colleague with a witty reply on Sanju Samson playing the waiting game. He quips - 'Maybe the problem for the team management is that Sanju does not believe in the waiting game when he is batting.' Glad that he is not on social media, would have been trolled for this one-liner.
Apart from the fans cursing the rain and desperately waiting for Umran Malik to steam in and bowl, social media is also flooded with messages from a section of people feeling bad for Sanju Samson. The Rajasthan skipper, who led his team to the final in the recently concluded season of the Indian T20 League, failed to find a place in the starting XI of the second-string Indian team. To be honest, we all thought Samson will get the preference but the team management decided to go with Deepak Hooda
Update 10.25 pm IST (4.55 pm GMT) - Our joy lasted for just 9 minutes. Unfortunately, the rain has returned and so are the covers.
Update 10.16 pm IST (4.46 pm GMT) - The update we all were waiting for has arrived. Cricket Ireland tweets - 'The rain has stopped and the covers are coming off! There's still no word on a start time but some positive news.' Fingers crossed.
As the rain dance continues in Dublin, letâs just move away a bit eastwards and sneak into what is happening at Headingley. England are chasing a target of 296 there, they had lost 2 wickets with 51 on the board but the stand between Root and Pope has helped them recover and now they require below 200 to clean sweep New Zealand. One must say, England are the favourites going by the way this new England team under the leadership combo of Stokes and McCullum has played. You can switch tabs and
Update 9.57 pm IST (4.27 pm GMT) - 'The rain is light and the super sopper is at work, but there is no update on a start time as yet...' tweets the official handle of Cricket Ireland.Â
As we wait for the action to unfold here in Dublin, an Indian team in whites has completed its warm-up game against Leicestershire just some 430 km away from this Irish city. It seems that India had a decent outing with almost everyone spending some valuable time in the middle, especially in the second innings. In the batting department, Kohli, Jadeja and Gill scored the fifties while Pant and Srikar Bharat, the two Indian wicketkeepers, also had good outings with the bat. In the bowling departm
Update 9.33 pm IST (4.03 pm GMT) - It's raining now. The wait continues. Thick heavy clouds are still around. The umpires are on the ground, getting the latest information from the groundsmen. Let's hope for some better weather soon.
More than cricket, we have interviews to push as updates for now. Here is Ruturaj Gaikwad. The Indian opener says that it has been a good learning curve for him and representing India is something you dream of. Adds that you learn a lot when you play with top players and he praises Hardik Pandya for his captaincy during the recently concluded Indian T20 League. Gaikwad is excited to play under Pandya. He reckons that batting in Ireland is going to be challenging. Shares that the preparation we
Update 9.11 pm IST (3.41 pm GMT) - Unfortunately, the covers are still on. The rain has stopped but it looks more like a precautionary move to keep the covers on as the dark clouds are still hovering over the ground. We can see India's head coach for this series, VVS Laxman, having a word with the match officials. Later on, the two umpires were seen chatting with the two captains as well. Not sure what was said! We will let you know if we get any updates. Stay tuned.
We had a short burst of rain after the toss but luckily it looks clear now and Alan Wilkins (on air) informs us that we will most probably have a full game here. We trust you, Wilko!
Avesh Khan is down for a quick chat. He says that the ball swings here and he will try his best to make good use of any help that bowlers will get. Adds that it is a proud moment for him to represent India and he considers every match as a new beginning and tries to learn from every game. Mentions that he tries to learn from Bhuvneshwar Kumar on how the pitch is behaving as he bowls the first over most of the time and shares that he enjoys practising with the other bowlers. Tells that it is ju
Ireland (Playing XI) - Andy Balbirnie (C), Paul Stirling, Gareth Delany, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker (WK), George Dockrell, Mark Adair, Andy McBrine, Craig Young, Josh Little, Conor Olphert.
Andy Balbirnie, the skipper of Ireland, says that they would have bowled first as the covers were on and there will be some help for the bowlers. Tells that the squad is brilliant and the guys are very excited and they will look to play a good brand of cricket. Mentions that playing India is great and it is good for the game in Ireland and to have a full house at Malahide is excellent. Talks about the new coach and shares that he is getting along with the team quite well. Informs that Conor O
India (Playing XI) - Ishan Kishan, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Deepak Hooda, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya (C), Dinesh Karthik (WK), Axar Patel, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Avesh Khan, Yuzvendra Chahal, Umran Malik.
Hardik Pandya, the captain of India, says that they want to bowl first looking at the forecast, otherwise they would have batted first. Adds that Ireland is showing the three kinds of weather and it is all over the place. Says that he is looking forward to the two upcoming games. Mentions that it's an honour for him to lead India and a special moment in his life. Tells that they all are professionals and his role is simple, just to back his players. Confirms that Umran Malik is making his debut
Toss time! Just a delay of around 7 minutes and we can see Hardik Pandya and Andy Balbirnie walk out in the middle. Andy Balbirnie tosses the coin up and it lands in favour of Hardik Pandya. INDIA WILL BOWL FIRST!
Welcome back, folks! The Irish team is on the field. Ruturaj Gaikwad and Ishan Kishan to open for India. They will be looking to start off sensibly before taking on the bowler. There will be some movement with the new ball and Ireland have the seamers to make the ball talk. The start is very crucial here for both teams.Â
... CHASE TIME ...
Avesh Khan to Harry Tector, Fuller in length and around leg, Harry Tector whips it to deep square leg and the fielder slips there while stopping the ball. The batters get two runs. Ireland finish on 108 for 4.
The Indian bowling was brilliant in the first four overs but then they lost the plot once Harry Tector started to score freely. There was a hype around Umran Malik's debut but he went for 18 runs in his first over and never returned. Yuzvendra Chahal was the best bowler on show and apart from him, Bhuvneshwar Kumar was also excellent. This is certainly a challenging total and India will have to apply themselves in the chase. Do join us in a short while to find out how it goes...
A smart recovery from Ireland after losing three quick wickets inside the Powerplay. Harry Tector started a counter-attack and his partnership with Lorcan Tucker brought the Irish innings back on track. Tector went on to make a 33-ball 64 and his knock single-handedly took Ireland over the 100-run mark.
Avesh Khan to Harry Tector, ! Smashed away! Khan misses his yorker and ends up bowling a full toss, around off. Tector makes room and slams it over deep extra cover for a maximum.
Avesh Khan to Harry Tector, Dropped! A fullish slower delivery, outside off. Tector makes room and slices it towards deep extra-cover. It goes high in the air and Patel running to his left reaches the ball but fails to pouch it. Two taken.
Avesh Khan to Harry Tector, ! This has been a gem of an innings from Harry Tector! A full toss on middle and leg. Tector reverse-scoops it towards the third man fence for a boundary. This has been a good recovery from Ireland!
Avesh Khan to Harry Tector, WIDE! Full and way wide outside off, Tector goes chasing for it but misses.
Avesh Khan to George Dockrell, Fuller delivery again, on off. George Dockrell mistimes his drive towards the cover fielder in the ring, and he goes for a single.
Avesh Khan to Harry Tector, FIFTY for Harry Tector! A brilliant knock from the young man, he has taken his team to a respectable total here! A very full ball on middle, Tector digs it out to long on for a single.
Avesh Khan to bowl the final over.
Yuzvendra Chahal to George Dockrell, This is a googly again, that pitches around leg, George Dockrell looks to heave it across the line but misses. Luckily for him, the ball turns in and just misses the leg stump. 3-0-11-1, exceptional from Chahal.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Harry Tector, Chahal with a quicker one on off, Tector pushes it to covers for just a single.
Yuzvendra Chahal to George Dockrell, This is fuller on off. George Dockrell swings his bat across the line but hits it straight to long on, along the ground, for a single.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Harry Tector, Goes flatter and quicker on off, Tector makes a bit of room and pushes it to covers for a single.
Yuzvendra Chahal to George Dockrell, A fuller delivery on middle. George Dockrell drills it straight down the ground and the fielder at long on moves to his left and cuts it off. A single taken.
Yuzvendra Chahal to George Dockrell, This is a googly, around leg. George Dockrell backs away and looks to heave it away but misses.
Will Yuzvendra Chahal continue? Yes, he is.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to George Dockrell, On a length, around off. George Dockrell opens the face of his blade and guides it towards deep point for a single. With the last two overs remaining, how many more can Ireland get?
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Harry Tector, Shortish length, outside off. Tector cuts to deep point this time for a single.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Harry Tector, Short and outside off, Tector cuts it but straight to the backward point fielder.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Harry Tector, ! What a superb shot this is! Fuller in length, around off, Tector strides forward and lofts it nonchalantly over covers for a biggie. Not an easy shot to play but he has nailed it.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Harry Tector, On a length, on middle. Tector works it towards deep mid-wicket for a couple.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar returns to bowl, another three overs left in the innings.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Harry Tector, ! Bhuvneshwar Kumar is greeted in his new spell with a boundary! Short and outside off, Tector makes room and slaps it towards deep cover-point. The fielder in the deep runs to his right and dives to stop. He collects the ball but ends up sliding into the rope. A boundary for Tector!
Yuzvendra Chahal to George Dockrell, This is pushed quicker and shorter, around off. George Dockrell cuts but finds the fielder at covers. Just 4 runs from the over and a wicket for Chahal, brilliant stuff!
Yuzvendra Chahal to Harry Tector, On middle and fuller. Tector works it towards the leg side for a single.
George Dockrell walks in next.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Lorcan Tucker, ! CAUGHT! Yuzvendra Chahal strikes as Lorcan Tucker holes out in the deep! Tossed up, landing full and outside off. Tucker goes down on one knee for the slog-sweep but has to fetch it. He connects but fails to get enough distance and Axar Patel at deep mid-wicket takes a fine catch. Chahal breaks this good partnership for Ireland!
Yuzvendra Chahal to Harry Tector, Tossed up, outside off. Tector drives it to long off for a single. The 50-run stand comes up.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Lorcan Tucker, This is a lot fuller, around leg, Tucker makes a bit of room and looks to sweep it but misses. The ball hits his pads and goes towards the off side. A leg bye is taken.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Harry Tector, A flatter delivery on leg. Tector punches it towards deep mid-wicket for a single.
Hardik Pandya to Lorcan Tucker, A length delivery on middle, slower in pace. Tucker looks to work it towards the leg side but mistimes it onto the turf. 13 from the over!
Hardik Pandya to Lorcan Tucker, ! Another good shot from Tucker! Pandya delivers it on a length, around middle, Tucker stays deep in his crease and launches it over deep mid-wicket for a maximum.
Hardik Pandya to Lorcan Tucker, ! This time he connects and it sails over the square leg fence! Pandya goes short and on off but it's a pacy delivery this time and Tucker hooks it over deep square leg for a maximum.
Hardik Pandya to Lorcan Tucker, Change of pace! An off-pace short delivery, around off. Tucker looks to pull it away but misses.
Hardik Pandya to Harry Tector, Shortish length again, around off. Tector pushes it to covers and takes a single. Ireland need boundaries here!
Hardik Pandya returns to bowl his second over. He picked up the prized scalp of Paul Stirling and went for 13 runs in his opening over.
Hardik Pandya to Harry Tector, Pandya hits the hard length on middle, Tector skips down the track but only manages to push it back to the bowler.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Harry Tector, Another googly angling into leg. Tector works it to deep mid-wicket for another single. Tidy start from Chahal!
Yuzvendra Chahal to Lorcan Tucker, A half-tracker on middle. Tucker pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Harry Tector, A flighted delivery on middle, Tector flicks it to wide long on for a single.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Lorcan Tucker, Slower through the air on middle, Tucker comes down the track and looks to clip it away but gets hit on the pads again.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Lorcan Tucker, Tosses this up again on middle, Tucker sweeps it to fine leg for a single.
Umran Malik to Harry Tector, ! Fighting fire with fire. Umran Malik bangs it in short, around off at 145 kph, Harry Tector hangs on the back foot and hammer-pulls it over deep square leg for a biggie. 50 up! 18 from Umran's first over in international cricket.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Lorcan Tucker, Chahal starts with a googly on middle and leg. Tucker goes back and looks to work it towards the leg side but misses. The ball hits his pads and rolls towards the off side.
Yuzvendra Chahal is into the attack now.
Umran Malik to Harry Tector, Wide! Umran Malik has not got his radar yet. A low full toss, way down the leg side at 143 kph, the batter tries to flick but misses.
Umran Malik to Harry Tector, ! The crowd goes silent. Umran Malik delivers it from wide of the crease. It's full and around middle at 142 kph, Harry Tector shows the full face of his bat and caresses it down the ground for a boundary at long on.
Umran Malik to Lorcan Tucker, Back of a length, around off at 140 kph, Lorcan Tucker guides it down to third man for a run.
Umran Malik to Lorcan Tucker, LEG BYES! Umran goes full but it's down the leg side at 143 kph. Tucker fails to flick and it goes off his boots to the fine leg fence.
Umran Malik to Harry Tector, A 145 kph delivery, full and around off, Tector keeps it out off the inner edge to square leg and they cross.
Is that a run out? Axar Patel has fired a direct hit at the bowler's end. However, the replays show that Harry Tector is well inside his crease. He will continue.
Umran Malik to Lorcan Tucker, Fuller and around off, driven through covers for a run.
Axar Patel to Lorcan Tucker, Loopy and full, around off, it's swept along the ground to deep square leg for a run. 12 from the over!
Axar Patel to Harry Tector, NOT ! Fuller and around off, skidding in, Tector keeps it out off the inner half to mid-wicket and Tucker comes out of the crease, looking for a run. His partner responds as Axar attacks the ball. The bowler scores a direct hit at his end and they appeal. The third umpire is referred. Harry Tector is found to be safe in the replays.
Axar Patel to Harry Tector, ! Gorgeous! This time Tector goes aerial, plays an inside-out shot over covers and sends it almost over the fence. A boundary is signalled.
Axar Patel to Harry Tector, ! That's a good drive! Very full and wide outside off, Harry Tector latches onto the width and drills it through extra cover.
Axar Patel to Lorcan Tucker, Loopy and full, around off, Tucker tucks it through mid-wicket for a single.
Axar Patel to Harry Tector, Tossed up around off, driven through covers for a single.
Time for some spin now. Axar Patel is into the attack.
Avesh Khan to Lorcan Tucker, Unplayable! Excellent length from Avesh, around off, on a fuller length and shaping away, Lorcan Tucker tries to flick but is beaten all ends up by the away movement. The Powerplay is over, Ireland are in tatters at 22 for 3.
Lorcan Tucker walks out to the middle.
Avesh Khan to Gareth Delany, ! CAUGHT BEHIND! Back of a length, around off and holding its line, Gareth Delany rocks back and tries to slap it through the line but gets a faint inside edge to the keeper. Dinesh Karthik collects, the Indians appeal and Gareth Delany is seen walking. Ireland have started on the wrong note here. It's a 12-over game but still, you need to build partnerships.
Avesh Khan to Harry Tector, EDGY ! Avesh bowls it full but wide outside off, shaping away again, Harry Tector flashes his bat at it and edges it over the slip cordon for a boundary.
Avesh Khan to Gareth Delany, Beauty! A touch short and around off, moving away a shade off the seam, Gareth Delany steps back and tries to punch but misses.
Avesh Khan to Harry Tector, Fuller and on middle, Harry runs down the track to flick but gets it away off the inner edge. It deflects off his pads to mid on and they steal a run.
Avesh Khan to Harry Tector, Play and a miss! Avesh lands it on a length and outside off, getting it to shape away, Tector throws his bat at it but fails to connect.
Avesh Khan is into the attack now.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Harry Tector, Another overthrow conceded. Fullish and on off, Harry Tector drives it a bit uppishly towards mid on. The fielder has an unnecessary shy at the bowling end this time. He finds the stumps and it deflects towards square leg. The batters cross.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Harry Tector, Some late inswing this time. Full and outside off, Tector tries to drive but gets an inside edge onto the pads.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Harry Tector, Skillful bowling. Kumar serves another inswinger, this time on a length and outside off, Harry walks forward and tries to flick but misses. It goes off his thigh pad to backward point.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Gareth Delany, Inswinger this time, going down the leg side, Delany attempts to flick but misses. It goes off his pads to square leg and they collect a leg bye.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Gareth Delany, Again an outswinger landing on a length around off, Delany pushes it a bit aerially off the leading edge but it doesn't carry to mid off.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Harry Tector, Edgy! Again a little bit of movement for Kumar. He serves it on a length around middle, it moves away a bit after landing, Tector tries to flick but it takes the leading edge and scoots down to third man. They cross for a run.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Gareth Delany, Shout for an lbw, the finger has stayed down and India have decided to review the decision. Bhuvneshwar Kumar hurls across a length ball, around off and gets it to jag back in sharply off the seam. Gareth Delany tries to flick from the back foot but misses. He is pinged on the pads, but the umpire turns down the appeal. Ball Tracking shows that it's missing the stumps. India lose a review.
Hardik Pandya to Paul Stirling, Play and a miss! It's on a length and outside off, Paul Stirling throws his bat at it but it seams away to beat the outside edge.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Andy Balbirnie, ! BOWLED! The last delivery moved away from the batter and this one shapes back in a long way from outside off. It's on a length, Andy Balbirnie stays back to play it straight down but the ball nips in and goes through the gap to dislodge the bails. Early setback for the Irish team.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Andy Balbirnie, Delivers it on a good length and outside off, shaping away, Andy Balbirnie plays it down from the back foot to point.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Paul Stirling, Drifting down the leg side, Paul Stirling tries to flick but misses. It goes off his pads to fine leg and they cross for a leg bye. Ireland are away!
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Paul Stirling, Slightly short again, around off, Paul Stirling punches but finds the cover fielder.
Hardik Pandya to Gareth Delany, ! Fine shot! Hardik Pandya angles it in, around off on a good length, Gareth Delany stays on the back foot and cracks it through the gap at covers for a boundary.
Hardik Pandya to Gareth Delany, Well stopped by Hooda! On a good length and outside off, Delany blazes his shot at wide mid off where Hooda dives across to his left and makes a superb stop. He gets up and scores a direct hit at the bowler's end. The ball ricochets to deep mid-wicket and the batters collect two runs.
Hardik Pandya to Gareth Delany, Short and wide outside off, Gareth Delany flashes his bat at it and misses.
Hardik Pandya to Gareth Delany, Width there outside off, Delany stays back and runs it down to third man for a couple of runs.
Harry Tector is the next man in.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Paul Stirling, Misunderstanding straight away. Back of a length, around middle, Stirling defends it down towards square leg and Balbirnie comes out of the crease, in search of a run. The fielder has a shy but it hits the non-striker instead as he is sent back. The ball deflects down the ground but they decide not to take a run. Good sportsmanship!
Hardik Pandya to Paul Stirling, ! CAUGHT! Both the Irish openers have been sent packing in the first 8 balls. Hardik Pandya hurls across a length ball close to off, Paul Stirling sticks on the back foot and once again tries to chip it over the infield on the off side. This time though it flies off the toe end of his bat and Deepak Hooda backtracks a bit to secure the skier at wide mid off.
Hardik Pandya to Paul Stirling, ! This is how Paul Stirling bats. A little bit of width outside off, on a good length, Paul stays back and lofts it over covers for a boundary.
The skipper, Hardik Pandya starts from the other end.
Gareth Delany walks out at number 3.
We are done with all the talking and it's time for the action to begin now! Indian players have made their way out to the middle. Paul Stirling and Andy Balbirnie are the openers for Ireland. It will be Bhuvneshwar Kumar to start with the ball. He should enjoy these conditions. Here we go...
As we move closer to the start time, Suryakumar Yadav is seen on the field chatting with his teammates. This is a big positive for India that SKY is fit and raring to go again. He has been brilliant for India whenever he has played and let's hope he stays fit now.Â
We are minutes away from getting underway. The Indian bowlers are going through their warm-up drills. Here are the revised conditions. Powerplay will be of 4 overs and two bowlers can bowl a maximum of three overs apiece.Â
Update 10.50Â IST (5.20 pm GMT) -Â We have some good news, folks! The rain has stopped and the covers are coming off. We have decided to not get overexcited this time. But the next update is very promising. We have a START TIME! It's going to be a 12-overs-per-side game and the match is set to begin at 11.20 pm IST (5.50 pm GMT).Â
And here is my colleague with a witty reply on Sanju Samson playing the waiting game. He quips - 'Maybe the problem for the team management is that Sanju does not believe in the waiting game when he is batting.' Glad that he is not on social media, would have been trolled for this one-liner.
Apart from the fans cursing the rain and desperately waiting for Umran Malik to steam in and bowl, social media is also flooded with messages from a section of people feeling bad for Sanju Samson. The Rajasthan skipper, who led his team to the final in the recently concluded season of the Indian T20 League, failed to find a place in the starting XI of the second-string Indian team. To be honest, we all thought Samson will get the preference but the team management decided to go with Deepak Hooda
Update 10.25 pm IST (4.55 pm GMT) - Our joy lasted for just 9 minutes. Unfortunately, the rain has returned and so are the covers.
Update 10.16 pm IST (4.46 pm GMT) - The update we all were waiting for has arrived. Cricket Ireland tweets - 'The rain has stopped and the covers are coming off! There's still no word on a start time but some positive news.' Fingers crossed.
As the rain dance continues in Dublin, letâs just move away a bit eastwards and sneak into what is happening at Headingley. England are chasing a target of 296 there, they had lost 2 wickets with 51 on the board but the stand between Root and Pope has helped them recover and now they require below 200 to clean sweep New Zealand. One must say, England are the favourites going by the way this new England team under the leadership combo of Stokes and McCullum has played. You can switch tabs and
Update 9.57 pm IST (4.27 pm GMT) - 'The rain is light and the super sopper is at work, but there is no update on a start time as yet...' tweets the official handle of Cricket Ireland.Â
As we wait for the action to unfold here in Dublin, an Indian team in whites has completed its warm-up game against Leicestershire just some 430 km away from this Irish city. It seems that India had a decent outing with almost everyone spending some valuable time in the middle, especially in the second innings. In the batting department, Kohli, Jadeja and Gill scored the fifties while Pant and Srikar Bharat, the two Indian wicketkeepers, also had good outings with the bat. In the bowling departm
Update 9.33 pm IST (4.03 pm GMT) - It's raining now. The wait continues. Thick heavy clouds are still around. The umpires are on the ground, getting the latest information from the groundsmen. Let's hope for some better weather soon.
More than cricket, we have interviews to push as updates for now. Here is Ruturaj Gaikwad. The Indian opener says that it has been a good learning curve for him and representing India is something you dream of. Adds that you learn a lot when you play with top players and he praises Hardik Pandya for his captaincy during the recently concluded Indian T20 League. Gaikwad is excited to play under Pandya. He reckons that batting in Ireland is going to be challenging. Shares that the preparation we
Update 9.11 pm IST (3.41 pm GMT) - Unfortunately, the covers are still on. The rain has stopped but it looks more like a precautionary move to keep the covers on as the dark clouds are still hovering over the ground. We can see India's head coach for this series, VVS Laxman, having a word with the match officials. Later on, the two umpires were seen chatting with the two captains as well. Not sure what was said! We will let you know if we get any updates. Stay tuned.
We had a short burst of rain after the toss but luckily it looks clear now and Alan Wilkins (on air) informs us that we will most probably have a full game here. We trust you, Wilko!
Avesh Khan is down for a quick chat. He says that the ball swings here and he will try his best to make good use of any help that bowlers will get. Adds that it is a proud moment for him to represent India and he considers every match as a new beginning and tries to learn from every game. Mentions that he tries to learn from Bhuvneshwar Kumar on how the pitch is behaving as he bowls the first over most of the time and shares that he enjoys practising with the other bowlers. Tells that it is ju
Ireland (Playing XI) - Andy Balbirnie (C), Paul Stirling, Gareth Delany, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker (WK), George Dockrell, Mark Adair, Andy McBrine, Craig Young, Josh Little, Conor Olphert.
Andy Balbirnie, the skipper of Ireland, says that they would have bowled first as the covers were on and there will be some help for the bowlers. Tells that the squad is brilliant and the guys are very excited and they will look to play a good brand of cricket. Mentions that playing India is great and it is good for the game in Ireland and to have a full house at Malahide is excellent. Talks about the new coach and shares that he is getting along with the team quite well. Informs that Conor O
India (Playing XI) - Ishan Kishan, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Deepak Hooda, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya (C), Dinesh Karthik (WK), Axar Patel, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Avesh Khan, Yuzvendra Chahal, Umran Malik.
Hardik Pandya, the captain of India, says that they want to bowl first looking at the forecast, otherwise they would have batted first. Adds that Ireland is showing the three kinds of weather and it is all over the place. Says that he is looking forward to the two upcoming games. Mentions that it's an honour for him to lead India and a special moment in his life. Tells that they all are professionals and his role is simple, just to back his players. Confirms that Umran Malik is making his debut
Toss time! Just a delay of around 7 minutes and we can see Hardik Pandya and Andy Balbirnie walk out in the middle. Andy Balbirnie tosses the coin up and it lands in favour of Hardik Pandya. INDIA WILL BOWL FIRST!