As expected India registered a compressive win over Ireland in the first T20 International. The visitors put to bat first scored mammoth 208 for five and in return Ireland could manage only 132 for nine, thus losing the match by 76 runs. Spinners Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal shared seven wickets between them as Ireland kept losing wickets throughout their chase. While Kuldeep finished with figures of 4/21 from his four overs, Chahal picked 3/38. IND vs IRE Full Scorecard.

Things started on a positive note for India as openers Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan shared a 160-run stand, apparently for the first wicket. Dhawan initially was aggressive of the two openers and was first to complete his half-century. Rohit then followed the suit and reached the personal landmark if 15 T20I half-centuries. You can watch video highlights of IND vs IRE 1st T20I here.

Dhawan, however, was dismissed on an individual score of 74. His knock included five fours and as many sixes. After Dhawan’s dismissal in the 16th over, India strangely promoted Suresh Raina ahead of captain Virat Kohli. However, the move failed as the left-hander managed duo score just ten runs.

Towards the end, India lost wickets in a hurry as batsmen were looking to up the ante. Opener Rohit was unlucky to miss out on yet another T20I century as he fell short by just three runs. India eventually finished on 208 with Hardik Pandya smashing the last ball for a six. IND vs IRE 1st T20I- As it Happened.

Opener James Shannon’s 35-ball 60 was the only highlight of Ireland’s chase. The right-handed batsman tried hard to keep the hosts in the game but he kept running out of partners at the top. He eventually fell to spinner Kuldeep Yadav. Ireland except for Shannon’s brisk knock never looked in contention.

The two sides now meet again on Friday, June 29 for the second and final T20I. India will then travel to England for a full-fledged series beginning with three-match T20I series, which starts on July 03. India’s tour of England ends with five-match Test series.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 28, 2018 12:23 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).