Home
Hardik Pandya made a successful T20I captaincy debut with a comprehensive win over Ireland in the rain-curtailed encounter. One Ireland batter that stood out was 22-year-old Harry Tector. The youngster’s unbeaten 64-run impressed the Indian all-rounder as he gifted him his bat. In addition, the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022-winners Gujarat Titans (GT) skipper predicted an IPL contract for the explosive batter.
"He played some fantastic shots and obviously he's just 22 and I have given him a bat and maybe he can score some more sixes and get an IPL contract,” the 28-year-old said in the post-match presentation.
Pandya also feels that he needs the “right guidance” to excel in the game.
"I wish him luck and, you know, just look after him. Well, give him the right guidance. It's not always about cricket. It's about understanding your own lifestyle and understanding what is at stake," he further added.
The stand-in Indian skipper, who contributed with a cameo in the run chase, was in awe of Tector’s hitting abilities. During his unbeaten 64-run knock, he hit six fours and three sixes. He batted with an impressive strike rate of 193.34. Not only he helped Ireland recover from top-order collapse but guided them to a fighting total of 108/4 in the 12 overs per side game.
"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. Some of the shots Harry played had me in awe. Look forward to him developing and taking Irish cricket forward," Pandya continued to laud the opposition batter who hit his third T20I half-century.
So far, no Ireland player has played in IPL. However, few have been part of the franchises but as net bowlers.
Tector will be seen in action again on June 28 in the second and final T20I of the series. So far, Tector has played 33 T20Is and scored 604 runs at an average of 26.26.
