India won the toss and opted to bat first which was a reasonable decision to give advantage to Hardik-led team’s batting unit to put up a score which can break records in the ICC history.
India managed to smash the target of 109 runs in just 9 easy overs which gives a perfect balance to team India and the attacking visitors have proved their capability to smash at least 200 runs in 20 overs, if not more.
Hardik Pandya and side are playing with 3 tactical changes as Ruturaj’s niggle in the previous game gives Sanju Samson a opportunity to prove his comeback. Harshal Patel will be replacing Avesh Khan for some slower and magical deliveries, and young spinner Ravi Bishnoi gets an opportunity to take hold of the position in place of Yuzvendra Chahal.
” We want to bat first. The wicket looks alright and the weather looks awesome and sunny as well. When we bowled first we expected the wicket to do much more than it did. But credit to the boys to keep them down to that total by realizing which balls to bowl. We have three changes: Ruturaj misses out because of a niggle, Sanju comes in. Harshal comes in place of Avesh and Bishnoi comes in for Chahal,” says Hardik Pandya.
“We were going to have a bowl. It is always nice in T20 to chase but we’re going to have to do well with the ball to keep these guys to a low total. If we put in a good performance, hopefully we’ll get a bit closer. It was Craig Young’s 50th T20I and we were happy to hand him a special cap. We’re playing the same team,” claimed Ireland captain Balbirnie.