An allround performance with both bat and ball from Yuvraj Singh helped India to complete a clinical victory by five wickets over spirited Ireland. Yuvraj Singh first picked up his maiden five-wicket haul and then hit an unbeaten fifty to seal a hard fought win over fighting Irish team. Chasing the target of 208 runs for victory, India hit back with two quick wickets from Trent Johnson to reduce at 24/2 in the sixth over before Sachin Tendulkar (38 runs off 56 balls) and Virat Kohli (34 runs off 53 balls) put on a much needed 63 runs partnership for the 3rd wicket to bring back Indian run chase right on track. But double blow in quick succession by Ireland bring them back right into the game with Sachin out lbw by young left arm spinner Dockrell and then misunderstanding in running between the wicket costed Virat Kohli wicket. However Captain cool M.S.Dhoni (34 runs off 50 balls) and Yuvraj Singh (50 runs off 75 balls) steadied the Indian ship by putting 67 runs for the fifth wicket which looked bobbling at one stage at 100/4 in the 24th over. Dhoni dismissal in the 41st over did allowed some Ireland fans some hope of getting a surprise victory over Indians but arrival of Yusuf Pathan to the middle bring storm of sixes and fours which ended the hopes of Irish. Yusuf Pathan hit 3 huge sixes and two four in his inning of 30 runs off just 24 balls. Earlier M.S.Dhoni won the toss and put Ireland into bat. Zaheer Khan gave India a perfect start after reducing the Ireland to 9/2 in the 3rd over. But calm and compose partnership between W.Porterfield (75 runs off 104 balls) and N.O’Brien (46 runs off 78 balls) put Ireland inning on track. A moment of brilliance from Kohli gave India their third wicket as the 22-year-old sent O'Brien back with a run out. Another strike, Andrew White's wicket, by Yuvraj brought Ireland's man of the moment Kevin O'Brien at the crease. But the big-hitting batsman was unable to replicate his last innings heroics and gave a simple catch to Yuvraj off his own bowling. In end Zaheer Khan and Munaf Patel polish the Ireland tail to end the inning on 207 runs. Yuvraj Singh was declared Player of the Match for his all-round performance with both bat and ball. Match Summary (India Won by 5 Wickets) Ireland Inning– 283/9 in 50 Overs W.Porterfield- 75 N.O’Brien – 46 Yuvraj Singh– 10-0-31-5 Z.Khan- 9-1-30-3 India Inning– 210/5 in 46 Overs Yuvraj Singh- 50* S.Tendulkar–38 T.Johnson– 5-1-16-2 G.Dockrell- 10-0-49-2 |
