Kohli buoyant after Ireland rout
Dublin, June 30: Virat Kohli is happy that India are well prepared to take on in- form England when their much- awaited series starts on Tuesday with the first of three Twenty20 internationals.
India completed the formality of a 2- 0 win in Ireland on Friday with their biggest ever T20 victory, by 143 runs. Although they were two onesided games, after scoring over 200 in both, the India captain says they were ideal preparation.
“We wanted to go into the ( England) series with all the guys having a hit and all the bowlers making a contribution so, I’m happy with the batting performances in both innings,” said Kohli.
“Everyone is batting so well, but it’s a good problem to have. Anyone who has been given a chance has grabbed it with both hands and that’s something that’s good for any side and our bench strength is shown in these type of games.
“It’s a great phase that India cricket is going through and I’m happy to see all these young guys taking their chances.”
Siddarth Kaul was given his debut on Friday and took a wicket in his second over although once again it was the spin twins Kuldeep Yadav and player of the series Yuzvendra Chahal who ripped through the Ireland line- up, sharing six wickets as Ireland were bowled out in just 12.3 overs for 70.
“The opposition doesn’t matter. We focus on our strengths so if they come hard we have the batting power to go hard as well, plus we have two wrist spinners in our attack which will be an added advantage we feel,” Kohli said.
BUMRAH, SUNDAR OUT OF T20 SERIES
Pacer Jasprit Bumrah and off- spinner Washington Sundar were on Saturday ruled out of the Twenty20 series due to injuries. Bumrah sustained an injury to his left thumb while fielding in the first T20 against Ireland on Wednesday. Sundar is out a right ankle injury.
Scores: India 213/ 4 in 20 overs ( K. L. Rahul 70, S. Raina 69, K. O’Brien 3/ 40) bt Ireland 70 in 12.3 overs ( G. Wilson 15, K. Yadav 3/ 16).