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'Atmosphere under Hardik is chill': Senior India star hails Pandya's captaincy, 'Gave freedom to execute plans'
Hardik Pandya made a fine debut as India captain, leading the team to a seven-wicket win over Ireland.
Hardik Pandya made his debut as India captain in their first T20I against Ireland on Sunday. While much of the game was washed out, a 12-overs-side could be eventually played and India won by seven wickets. Pandya himself had a good outing, picking a wicket and scoring 24 runs off 12 balls.
The man who ended up being declared player of the match was Yuzvendra Chahal, who bowled three overs and gave just 11 runs away in addition to taking a wicket. Chahal was all praise for how Pandya led the team, talking about how the all-rounders gave his bowlers the freedom to execute plans.
"He gave liberty to bowl whatever I want to bowl. The atmosphere under Hardik is chill, he gave me the freedom to execute my plans," Chahal said in the post-match presentation ceremony.
Chahal also joked about the struggles of playing in cold conditions in Malahide. "Very difficult (in these cold conditions). I felt like a finger spinner today. Sometimes it's hard but you have to adapt to every condition," said Chahal.
Deepak Hooda smashed 47 runs off 29 balls while Hardik played a knock of 24 runs off 12 balls, and helped Team India to chase down the target of 109 runs in just 9.2 overs, with seven wickets in hand. For Ireland, Craig Young was the pick among the bowlers as he scalped two wickets while Joshua Little settled with one.
Earlier in the first innings, Harry Tector's unbeaten 64 guided Ireland to 108/4 against India. while for visitors Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Chahal, Hardik Pandya, and Avesh Khan scalped one wicket apiece.
