Deepak Hooda produced a super performance with the bat as India beat Ireland by 7 wickets in the first T20I at the The Village in Malahide.
Hooda, who usually comes in the middle-order, came up to open the innings and returned undefeated on 47(29). His efforts assisted India trail a challenging 109 in 9.2 overs as the clash was reduced to 12 overs a side because of rain.
Hooda got great assistance from the skipper, who scored 24 off 12 balls ahead of getting out LBW against Joshua Little.
Ishan Kishan too scored 26 off 11 deliveries, whilst Suryakumar Yadav was removed for a duck.
Earlier, Harry Tector scored an unbeaten 64 off 33 deliveries to aid Ireland post a score of 108/4 in 12 overs following being invited to bat first.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar gave India with a wicket in the first over and skipper Hardik Pandya struck in the second.
Avesh Khan then grabbed a wicket as Ireland collapsed to 23/3 at one stage. Nevertheless, a solid 50-run partnership between Tector and Lorcan Tucker rescued things for the hosts.
