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India were triumphant over Ireland in their first T20I match in Malahide, Dublin, with top-order batter Deepak Hooda shining for the Men in Blue in what was a rain-curtailed match of 12 overs in each innings. Chasing a total of 109, skipper Hardik Pandya took the decision of sending in the pinch-hitting Deepak Hooda to open the innings instead of regular choice Ruturaj Gaikwad, and many were awed by this decision from stand-in captain Hardik Pandya putting it down to tactics.
However, after the game, the news emerged that Gaikwad didn't bat because he had picked up a calf niggle.
"Rutu (Ruturaj Gaikwad) had a niggle in his calf," India captain Hardik Pandya said during the post-match press conference. "We had the choice of taking a risk and sending him in [to open], but I was not okay with it. A player's well-being is more important, and [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, and it wasn't a big headache. We wanted to make sure we weren't taking any chances with Rutu."
The opportunity to open the provided a big chance for Hooda to hone his skills, having been on the bench through the entirety of the recently concluded five-match T20I series against South Africa. Hooda carried the bat for India and top-scored with an unbeaten 47 off 29 balls as they beat their opponents by seven wickets with 16 balls to spare.
Meanwhile, many fans expected to see more of pacer Umran Malik, but the speed merchant was smashed for 14 runs in the one over that he bowled. Despite this, Hardik had words of encouragement for the fast bowler. "When you play for India for the first time, and the journey he has taken, it's important to give such a bowler and such a talent time.
"Whether it was a good day or a bad day is irrelevant. For him, just to play for India is itself a very big thing, and that is something which I'm very happy for, [irrespective] of how the result went, good or bad, it's okay. It's part and parcel of the game, but at the same point of time, from here he'll only get better, the more matches he plays, and it's a big thing for him to play for India, for anyone to play for India.
"I want to let him enjoy this moment because it doesn't come every time. A debut happens only once," said the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022-winning captain.
