IND vs IRE LIVE: India survive Ireland scare, Hooda only positive: Check OUT

IND vs IRE LIVE: Team India held on to their nerves to seal a thrilling final over win against Ireland to seal the series 2-0. Deepak Hooda scored a scintillating century and Sanju Samson also chipped in with a fine fifty. India’s performance only furthered Rahul Dravid’s selection headache for T20 World Cup. Follow India vs Ireland LIVE Updates on Insidesport.IN

India’s tour of Ireland served as a major preparation ground for the T20 World Cup. The likes of Deepak Hooda and Avesh Khan have created selection headaches for coach Rahul Dravid. Here, at Insidesport.IN, we look at 5 talking points of the India vs Ireland series.

IND vs IRE LIVE: Bhuvneshwar & Hooda star as Umran Malik defends 17 off last over as India SURVIVE Irish scare to clinch series 2-0 with 4-run win: Check 2nd T20 Highlights

IND vs IRE LIVE: India survive Ireland scare, gives Rahul Dravid plenty of HEADACHE for World Cup preparations, Hooda only positive: Check OUT

2⃣ Matches
1⃣5⃣1⃣ Runs@HoodaOnFire put on a stunning show with the bat & bagged the Player of the Series award as #TeamIndia completed a cleansweep in the 2-match T20I series against Ireland. 👍 👍 #IREvIND pic.twitter.com/UuBKCx1HNj

— BCCI (@BCCI) June 28, 2022

Deepak Hooda books T20 WC ticket

Deepak Hooda has almost booked himself a ticket to the T20 World Cup with a stunning century at Dublin on Tuesday. In batting-friendly conditions, the LSG star smashed 104 off just 57 balls. He became the 4th Indian to score a century in T20Is. Hooda had earlier impressed with an unbeaten 47 in the 1st game. Given his ability to bowl, Deepak Hooda has given himself the best possible chance of making the T20 World Cup squad.

Sanju Samson returns in style

Sanju Samson forced himself back into the reckoning with a career-best 77 on Tuesday. The Rajasthan Royals captain stitched a record 176-run stand with Deepak Hooda. Samson scored at a strike rate of 183.33 and proved to be a more than capable batsman at the top of the order. His return to form compounds Rahul Dravid’s selection problems.

Umran Malik makes his mark

After waiting for his chance vs South Africa, Umran Malik was handed an opportunity in both games against Ireland. The 22-year-old went for 14 in his solitary over in the first game. He was hit for runs in the 2nd game as well, but Hardik Pandya kept his faith in the SRH star, who delivered by defending 17 in the final over.

IND vs IRE LIVE: India survive Ireland scare, gives Rahul Dravid plenty of HEADACHE for World Cup preparations, Hooda only positive: Check OUT

Avesh Khan impresses, Harshal Patel struggles

Avesh Khan had an impressive outing in the latter games against South Africa, and the medium pacer did well once again in Ireland. The LSG star displayed great control of his line and length in the 1st T20I. He followed it up with a neat spell at the death to restrict Ireland.

Meanwhile, Harshal Patel who returned for the 2nd T20 struggled to make an impact. He conceded a whopping 54 in his four overs. He became the first bowler to concede 6 sixes in a t20 game for India on a forgettable day for the RCB star. The medium-pacer has struggled to hold his own on batting-friendly wickets. Head coach Rahul Dravid will be keen to address the issue ahead of the T20 World Cup.

No debuts for Arshdeep Singh, Rahul Tripathi

Arshdeep Singh and Rahul Tripathi both had to warm the bench. Singh has been on the bench for India for seven straight T20 games. The Punjab Kings star has impressed but his wait for an Indian cap continues. Tripathi also failed to earn a single game in Blue in his maiden call-up.