'Have given him my bat': Hardik Pandya impressed by Ireland youngster, 'Hit more sixes, get an IPL contract'

India captain Hardik Pandya revealed that he gifted his bat to the Ireland player and hopes to see him play in the IPL some day.

India may have won the first T20I against Ireland by seven wickets but the hosts earned plaudits for their recovery batting first after losing early wickets. Harry Tector led the resurgence and earned particular praise for the way he constructed his innings, eventually remaining unbeaten on 64 off 33 balls as the hosts scored 108/4.

Pandya had a good outing with bat and ball in his debut as India captain.  (PTI)

Hardik Pandya, India's captain for the series, later revealed that he was impressed by Tector and gave the 22-year-old his bat. "Oh, he (Harry Tector) played some fantastic shots. And obviously, he's 22. I have given him a bat as well. So maybe he can score some more sixes and maybe get an IPL contract," Hardik told the press after the 1st T20I in Dublin.

Pandya said that he hopes the Ireland management guides Tector in the right manner and they might just have a special talent in their hands. "And I wish him luck and, you know, just look after him. Give him the right guidance. It's not always about cricket. It's about understanding your own lifestyle and understanding what is at stake. If you can manage that, I'm sure he's going to be around not just in the IPL, but in all the leagues in the world," said Pandya.

Hardik had a good outing with both ball and bat. He dismissed Ireland opener Paul Stirling, thus becoming the first Indian captain to take a wicket in T20Is. He then scored a 12-ball 24 in a 64-run stand with Deepak Hooda as India chased down a 109-run target in just 9.1 overs to go 1-0 up in the 2-match series.

India and Ireland will meet in the 2nd and final T20I in Malahide on Tuesday, June 28.