The cricketing world reacted in a variety of ways to India’s woeful T20I series loss to Ireland, but one took the cake. After the 2-0 series loss, Iceland Cricket, who is known for their humorous social media presence, took a playful shot at India head coach Gautam Gambhir.
Shortly after Ireland completed the series, Iceland Cricket posted a tongue in cheek comment, which soon went viral. In a post, the post made fun of the board’s stance that it does not intend to hire Gambhir as its coach, and at the same time sarcastically praised him for managing an unprecedented success with a talented Indian squad.
Gambhir’s humorous post read that the Indian side’s performance in Ireland had made Gambhir a player of “remarkable gifts” but Iceland Cricket had no interest in his being a part of their coaching staff. The message was shared in minutes, and hit thousands of reactions from cricket fans around the world.
The Theme Song that was used for Ireland Script Historic Series.The Theme Song for Ireland Script Historic Series.
The series resulted in one of the most shocking bowlers’ duel in T20I cricket in recent memory. Both times Ireland beat India and secured their first-ever T20I series victory over the Men in Blue.
The hosts secured the first game in Belfast by 34 runs while India came close by one run in the second game in a damp, tight second game. The wins were a memorable success for Irish cricket and put an end to the Indian domination of them in the shortest format.
Batting Let India Down
India’s bowlers were able to hold onto their form in both games, however, the batters were unable to chase a manageable target when under pressure.
The captain, Shreyas Iyer, had a rough beginning to his skippering career as he failed to make a big impact with the bat. Post a brilliant T20 World Cup campaign, Sanju Samson also failed to deliver in his first few competitions.
The double defeats ensured Iyer was the second Indian skipper to finish his maiden two T20 internationals with the loss, and immediately put under a spotlight the new leadership team.
The opportunity to bounce back is now available with the England Series.
India have very little time to process the setback as they have to get ready for a five-match T20I series with England.
The tour kicks off in Chester-le-Street on July 1, and then heads to Manchester, Nottingham, Bristol and Southampton. The series is a golden opportunity for the Indians to regain their trust and play with a lot of vigour following their failure in Ireland.
The demand for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s debut has been increasing.The demand for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s debut has been rising.
Besides, one major talking point post the series has been the not being part of the playing XI of the teen sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.
The 15-year-old was called up to the India squad but was not used in either of the games against Ireland. After the bad performance at the plate, the fans and former players have been clamoring for that youngster to get a chance during the England series.
If picked up, Vaibhav may turn out to be one of India’s youngest players to play T20 Internationals and thus the next England tour could prove to be one of his most awaited chapters in his young career.
It was a poor start under the new man in charge but India will now look forward to moving on from the Ireland debacle and start afresh against England next month.