Srinagar: India T20I skipper Hardik Pandya has come in support of his rookie pacer J&K’s Umran Malik after the pacer had an average debut for Team India on Sunday against Ireland at Malahide Cricket Club Ground Dublin.
In the rain curtailed match, Umran Malik was handed Team India debut. The pacer conceded 14 runs in the single over he bowled and went wicketless.
“He’s been fantastic for his (IPL) franchise (Sunrisers Hyderabad). But I felt, also had a chat with him, he’ll be more comfortable with the older ball,” Hardik Pandya said about Umran Malik after the match.
Pandya was happy to see his side beat Ireland and start series on winning note.
“Great to start a series with a win. For us, as a team, it’s very important to start with a win. Quite happy with it,” said Hardik during the post-match presentation.
“Ireland batted fantastically. We had to go back to our main bowlers,” said Hardik, talking about Harry Tector who scored a blistering 33-ball 64 not out to take the hosts to 108/4 in a rain-curtailed 12-overs-a-side game
“Maybe in the next game he (Tector) will have a full chance. Some of the shots he played were mind-blowing.”
Chasing a 109 run target, India’s Hooda smashed 47 runs off 29 balls while Hardik played a cameo of 24 off 12 balls, which took the visitors to a seven-wicket victory in 9.2 overs.
India now lead the two-match T20I series 1-0, with the second match scheduled for Tuesday.