Ireland vs India: Hardik Pandya sets new Indian record after successful start to captaincy stint

Ireland vs India: Hardik Pandya picked up the wicket of Paul Stirling and hit a quickfire 24 as the all-rounder led from the front in his first T20I as captain of the senior national team.

Hardik Pandya had a memorable start to his stint as India captain as the all-rounder led the team to a comfortable 7-wicket victory over Ireland in a rain-affected 1st T20I in the ongoing 2-match series in Dublin. Chasing a stiff target of 109 in a 12-overs-per-side contest, India raced to the finish line in just 9.2 overs to take a 1-0 unbeatable lead against Ireland.

Hardik could not have asked for a better start as India's T20I captain as the all-rounder led from the front, delivering with both ball and bat. Hardik picked up a wicket and hit a 12-ball 24 as India comfortably outclassed Ireland on Sunday in Malahide.

Ireland vs India, 1st T20I: Report | Highlights

Hardik Pandya became the 8th player to lead India in men's T20I cricket and he achieved a new record as the Baroda all-rounder and became the first India men's T20I captain to pick up a wicket in the shortest format of the game. Hardik achieved the feat when he dismissed Ireland's opener, Paul Stirling, as early as the 2nd over of the match.

Everything worked in Hardik's favour on Sunday as he won the toss and opted to field. The Gujarat Titans captain brought himself into the attack in the 2nd over and sent back Stirling, who mistimed a lofted shot straight into the hands of Deepak Hooda, the mid-off fielder.

"Great to start the series with a win, fortunate we got a game. It is important for our team to start with a win," Hardik said after India won the 1st T20i.

Notably, it was the combination of Hardik and Hooda that delivered for India with the bat after a strong start from Ishan Kishan. Hardik and Hooda stitched a 64-run stand in just 31 balls as they took the game away from Ireland.