---

Hardik Pandya Reveals Why Gaikwad Didn’t Bat Against Ireland

Hardik Pandya alongside Deepak Hooda and Ishan Kishan shone with the bat for India as the Men in Blue registered a comprehensive win against Ireland. The first game of the 2-match T20I series in Dublin saw the visitors chase down the Irish team’s total after the game was shortened to 12 overs per side due to rain.

 Ireland managed to put up 108 runs in 12 overs during the first innings as Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Yuzvendra Chahal shined with the ball. After the first innings, India seemed to make a change in the batting order as Hooda opened the innings instead of Ruturaj Gaikwad. However, Hardik Pandya revealed the reason of Gaikwad’s absence during India’s innings.

What did Hardik Pandya say? 

Hardik Pandya spoke to the media sharing an update about Gaikwad after India registered a seven-wicket against Ireland. The Indian skipper shared that the opener had suffered a niggle and was not sent to bat as a precautionary measure. Pandya was quoted in his post-match press conference saying, “Rutu (Ruturaj) had a niggle in his calf. We had the choice of taking a risk and sending him in [to open], but I was not okay with it. “

ALSO READ: Mayank Agarwal To Join India Squad Ahead Of 5th Test

He added, “A player’s well-being is more important. [I thought] we’ll be able to manage what happens in the match. It was quite simple after that. There wasn’t much of a decision to make; whatever our [batting-order] numbers were, we all went up one spot. It wasn’t a big headache. We wanted to make sure we weren’t taking any chances with Rutu.”

Earlier in the first innings, Hardik Pandya also created a record by becoming the first Indian T20I captain to pick a wicket in the shortest format of the game. Pandya, who is the 9th captain of the Indian cricket team in T20I internationals sent Paul Stirling back in the hut.  The wicket came in the second over of the match against Ireland with Deepak Hooda completing the catch.

The likes of Virender Sehwag, MS Dhoni, Suresh Raina, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma as well as Rishabh Pant, have led the Indian team in the past. However, none of them have claimed a wicket for India in T20I’s. Hardik Pandya will be eager to keep the winning momentum going and register a white wash series win against Ireland. The second T20I against will also be played at the same venue in Dublin on June 28. 

For more fantasy sports news and updates, keep reading GutshotMagazine.com. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Telegram. 

---

---

More News

---

Comments