India opener Abhishek Sharma believes his side must adjust much faster to the conditions in Ireland if they want to level the two-match T20I series. After India’s surprise defeat in the opening game, the left-hander admitted that the team failed to adapt quickly enough, which proved costly.
The loss was a historic one for Ireland as it marked their first-ever victory over the reigning T20 world champions in any format. With the win, the hosts have taken a 1-0 lead in the series and will look to complete a clean sweep in the final match.
India were chasing 183 on a pitch that offered good assistance to the fast bowlers. While the target was within reach, the visitors needed a more balanced approach after the power play. Instead, they continued to play attacking shots and lost wickets at regular intervals.
Speaking after the match, Abhishek explained where India fell short.
“Its just how quickly we adapt the conditions, that’s really matters as a team, because when you are playing back to back games, as a group you have to step forward and get used to the conditions, whenever you get practice sessions or probably get used to, I feel as a dominating team, you have to adapt really quick and that’s what we were trying today, but unfortunately it didn’t happen.”
Abhishek was India’s standout batter, smashing a 20-ball half-century, but he received little support from the rest of the batting line-up. The visitors were eventually bowled out for just 148.
Ireland made an early breakthrough when debutant pacer Jai Moondra, who has Indian roots, dismissed Sanju Samson. The wicketkeeper-batter dragged the ball back onto his stumps after getting an inside edge.
The Irish bowlers continued to keep the pressure on by bowling hard lengths. Ishan Kishan tried to clear the leg side against Matt Hollard but mistimed his shot and was caught comfortably inside the circle by Lorcan Tucker.
India captain Shreyas Iyer also had a forgettable outing in his first match as the team’s full-time T20I skipper. He attempted to flick a slower delivery from Hollard but failed to get enough power behind the shot, with George Dockrell completing the catch in the deep.