After consistently performing well in domestic cricket, Rinku Singh has now started to get the due opportunities. The southpaw was recently named in the India squad for the Asian Games. The batter was also picked for the India tour of Ireland. Speaking about his India call-up, Rinku said that the selection is like a dream come true.

“Sapne jaisa hi hai (This is like a dream). I don’t want to wake up anytime soon,” Rinku said while speaking to Indian Express.

“It’s an amazing feeling, not easy for me to describe in words. I have reached this level from absolutely nothing. I am an emotional person, and every time I talk to my parents, we end up crying,” he added.

‘I Have No Shame In Telling People That I Used To Do Menial Jobs’: Rinku Singh

Rinku Singh worked his way up in the roster after a staggering show in domestic cricket. He toiled hard and did menial jobs to make ends meet before becoming a cricketer. Rinku said that he has shame in telling people about the work he used to do.

“I have no shame in telling people that I used to do menial jobs to make ends meet. What’s wrong with it? My past gives me the courage to face failures and difficulties,” he added.

Rinku Singh Opens Up On Being Sidelined For West Indies T20I Series

Rinku Singh was expected to get his maiden cap in the T20I series against West Indies, however, he was ignored by the BCCI. Rinku opened up on his snub and said that he was not dejected as he has seen worse situations.

“There was no dejection. I have seen worse. Not getting picked for the West Indies tour didn’t deter me at all. Selection is not in my hands. What I can do is score runs and I am just doing it.

“I have this superstition that If I think too much, things will start to fall apart. I live in the present and that’s how I bat also. People keep asking me about those five sixes and the planning behind it. In reality, there was no planning. It was my day, I hit every ball, and connected well. It was all God’s plan, nothing else,” he added.

The post Rinku Singh On Cloud Nine After India Call-up For Ireland Tour, Terms Selection As ‘Dream Come True’ appeared first on Cricket Country.

Bhuvi last played an ODI game for India in January 2022 against South Africa. However, poor form and injuries resulted in his ouster from the team. With India looking to groom next-generation players, it is unlikely that Bhuvi will find a place in the main team, however, he can be part of the team when the senior players are rested and the second-string team takes part in the series.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar Set To Retire After Ireland Series – Reports

Meanwhile, as per several reports in the media, the ace pacer is set to retire after the India vs Ireland series. The report also states that spinner R Ashwin could also hang his boots from limited-overs cricket after the Ireland tour.

Bhuvneshwar has represented India in 21 Tests, 117 ODIs, and 48 T20Is, taking 63, 132 and 49 wickets, respectively. Bhuvi is the only Indian bowler to take five-wicket hauls in all three formats.

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Opting to bat first, Sanju Samson and Deepak Hooda stitched together a record-breaking 176-run stand after losing Ishan Kishan early in the match. Samson was dismissed for 77 off 42 but Hooda (104 off 57) continued the onslaught as he brought his maiden T20I ton.

The brilliant stand between Samson and Hooda helped India post a mammoth total of 225 for 7 in 20 overs and were clear favourites to win the match from there on. But Ireland had other ideas as both openers, Paul Stirling and Andrew Balbirnie took the attack to the Indians and gave the hosts a brilliant 72-run opening stand.

Umran Malik has won the game for India. Ireland also deserves to win this match. They played high class cricket against this strong Indian side.#UmranMalik #IREvINDpic.twitter.com/xfQiNzuN18

— Cricket Hotspot (@AbdullahNeaz) June 28, 2022

Ravi Bishnoi gave India the first breakthrough as he cleaned up Stirling for 40 with Gareth Delany soon making his way to the dressing room, courtesy a run-out by Hardik Pandya. Thereafter, Harshal Patel picked up Balbirnie (60) while Harry Tector (40) was dismissed by Bhuvneshwar Kumar. George Dockrell played an absolute blinder at the end of the innings that kept Ireland in the match till the last ball but it turned out to be a little too much for the Ireland side as they fell short by 4 runs to the Indian total.

For India, Axar Patel was the most economical bowler, conceding 12 runs off his 2 overs without any wicket to show for his efforts while Bhuvneshwar, Patel, Malik and Bishnoi picked up a wicket each. India won the two-match T20I series 2-0 and recorded their fifth whitewash in international cricket in 2022.

The post IND vs IRE, 2nd T20: India Survive Ireland Scare As Umran Malik Gets A Taste Of International Cricket appeared first on Cricket Country.

His century came off 57 balls that saw him hit nine fours and half a dozen sixes that helped India to post a mammoth total of 225 for 7 in the second T20I played at the Village stadium, Dublin. Sanju Samson gave him good company as the duo added 176 runs for the second wicket before the India opener got dismissed of the bowling of Mark Adair.

Twitter Reaction to Deepak Hooda’a Maiden Ton:

What a phenomenal rise it’s been for Deepak Hooda! Unique way of creating opportunities for big hitting. Steps out at the last second to surprise the seam bowlers.Ends up hitting boundaries off good balls bowled in the stumps.Nightmare for bowlers! #INDvIRE

— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) June 28, 2022

Remember @ashwinravi99 saying in his YT channel that a handful of international matches can give immense confidence to any player. He said this just before the start of this year IPL on Deepak Hooda getting 2-3 international matches. Hooda had a great IPL & continues his form 👌🏻 pic.twitter.com/O4wdU8pKD8

— Balaji Santhanagopalan (@Balaji_itisme) June 28, 2022

Hundred for Deepak Hooda. 4th Indian man to hit a ton in T20Is (Raina, Rohit, KL are others). Feel he’s a certainty for T20 WC: can bat anywhere, bowls a bit & an excellent fielder. Won’t be surprised if he plays the 2023 WC

— Sarang Bhalerao (@bhaleraosarang) June 28, 2022

What an Innings Deepak Hooda.
104(57)! Superb.#IREvIND

— Krish Gandhi (@VivaAnfield) June 28, 2022

Well played, Deepak Hooda – what a knock it has been – 104 runs from 57 balls including 9 fours and 6 sixes. pic.twitter.com/uTLhKadIGt

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) June 28, 2022

So happy for Sanju Samson. First half century for Indiaim T20I’s. And loving the partnership with Deepak Hooda by the way👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻.

— Ian Raphael Bishop (@irbishi) June 28, 2022

Deepak Hooda in the last 8 months:

SMAT – 294 runs from 6 matches.
IPL – 451 runs from 15 matches.
Ireland series – 151 runs from 2 matches.

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) June 28, 2022

One of the finest knocks in t20….sweet sound when hitting the ball…#deepakhooda

— dascricZ (@proudindianizme) June 28, 2022

Deepak Hooda now only the fourth Indian batsman to score a T20I hundred. That’s come only in his third T20I innings. @HoodaOnFire is actually on fire today…

— Rahul Rawat (@rawatrahul9) June 28, 2022

Sanju Samson and Deepak Hooda appreciation tweet#IREvIND #SanjuSamson #deepakhooda pic.twitter.com/Li78GS7wfy

— Sanju Samson Army™ (@SanjuSamsonEra) June 28, 2022

Ireland have their task cut out in chasing the target set by India. The visitors already lead the series 1-0, having won the first convincingly.

The post IND vs IRE, 2nd T20I: Deepak Hooda Sends Twitter In Frenzy After Maiden Ton vs Ireland appeared first on Cricket Country.

India recorded their biggest ever win, by 143 runs, against Ireland in the second T20I at Malahide. Batting first, India posted a huge 213 and then bowled the host out for 70 runs. Umesh Yadav made his comeback in the T20I side after six years, on the back of his impressive performance in this season’s IPL. Umesh bowled with serious pace and picked up 2 for 19 in his 2 overs.

“I am happy with my performance as well. I really enjoyed my game. Whatever I have done in the Indian Premier League, I have done the same here. Hopefully, I continue giving my best in the future,” said Umesh.

He also spoke about the balance of the team and promised to give his full when given a chance: “The team is well balanced with the presence of Bhuvi [Bhuvneshwar Kumar], [Jasprit] Bumrah and [Mohammad] Shami. I’m not thinking whether I will be selected or not [in future games]. When my turn comes, I give my 100 per cent.”

Umesh also did not hold back talking on the issue of two new balls on ODI. He believes this change will kill reverse swing: “If you use one ball, it becomes older and you get reverse swing. But with two balls, when we bowl from two ends, the reverse swing is very less. It is difficult for fast bowlers. to bowl the right lengths and yorkers. Especially, if the ball does not do anything in the death overs, it is difficult for the fast bowlers to handle pressure, since the wicket is flat. You saw how England played on such a track and made 480-odd runs [against Australia].”

India will now head to England  for a series of 3 T20Is, 3 ODIs and 5 Tests, starting from  July 3. England are in great form after whitewashing Australia in the limited overs series.

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Virat Kohli failed to score big getting out cheaply on 9 © AFP

Kevin O’Brien struck twice in the 13th over getting rid of KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma © AFP

Suresh Raina then stabbled the innings with his knock of 69 © AFP

India then bowled Ireland out for 70 to record their biggest win margin of 143 runs © AFP

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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 one-sided 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, who took 21 wickets in the IPL this year, 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.

KL Rahul, who sat out the first match, scored 70 off 36 balls and with Suresh Raina hitting 69 off 45 as India totalled 213-4. Looking ahead to facing England, Kohli was bullish in that anything England do, India will do better. “The opposition doesn’t matter,” he said. “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.”

“If we play at the best possible intensity, it’s going to be an exciting and competitive series and one we’re looking forward to. England are a quality side but we have belief in our quality and back the positives when we go on the field.

“The players have accepted their responsibilities and for me as a captain that’s really pleasing to see. We can call on anyone at any stage to give their best effort, in fact everyone wants to have a go at the opposition, they want game time, so the credit has to go their players and it takes the load of myself and the management.” Ireland captain Gary Wilson, who top scored with 15, admitted his batsmen rolled over too easily, but they will learn from the games which, to the delight of Cricket Ireland, were played in front of two capacity crowds of almost 10,000.

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India whitewashed Ireland with their biggest ever win, by 143 runs, in the second T20I at Malahide. The Irish batting line-up collapsed against the Indian bowling attack, for 70. The Indian spinners, Yuzvendra Chahal (3 for 21) and Kuldeep Yadav (3 for 16), shared 6 wickets on Friday after sharing 7 the previous day after comeback man Umesh Yadav and debutant Siddarth Kaul struck early.

Umesh struck gold on the second ball of the innings, dismissing Paul Stirling for a duck. Stirling edged to Suresh Raina at second slip. William Porterfield hit a massive six off Umesh but was clean bowled next ball, trying to shuffle across. Kaul took his maiden wicket, that too of James Shannon, top-scorer in the last match, with a well-directed short ball. Shannon lobbed to KL Rahul at extra cover.

Chahal came to bowl inside the Powerplay and bowled Andrew Balbirnie for 9. Kevin O’Brien, who picked 3 wickets earlier in the day, recorded a duck. He edged Hardik Pandya, and Kuldeep took a low catch at third man. Half the Ireland side was back in the pavilion for 32.

Simi Singh came in next, and was lucky to get away with an edge off the first ball and survived a leg-before appeal next ball. Then Kuldeep got rid of Gary Wilson (15) and George Dockrell (4) in the next 2 overs.

Ireland were 8 down and had no answer to the spinners whatsoever. Chahal bowled Stuart Thompson for 13. With the last wicket standing it was just a matter of time for India to wrap things off. Kuldeep took only 3 bowls to finish things. Boyd Rankin, who had smashed a six off Kuldeep in the previous over, walked down the pitch and missed the ball completely as Dinesh Karthik did the formalities behind the stumps.

Earlier, India posted a mammoth total of 213 for 4. This was the first time India posted 200 in consecutive T20Is. Rahul (70) and Raina (69) added 106 to the third wicket partnership while Pandya blasted 32 not out in 9 balls.

Brief Scores

India 213 in 20 overs [KL Rahul 70(36), Suresh Raina 69(45), Hardik Pandya 32(9); Kevin O’Brien 4-0-40-3] beat Ireland 70 in 12.3 overs [Gary Wilson 15(18); Yuzvendra Chahal 4-0-21-3, Kuldeep Yadav 2.3-0-16-3] by 143 runs.

Man of the Match: KL Rahul.
Man of the Series: Yuzvendra Chahal.

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India once again dominated the Irish bowling attack by posting 213 for 4 after being asked to bat in the second T20 International against Ireland at Malahide. This was the first time India posted a total more than 200 in consecutive T20I matches. KL Rahul (70), who did not get a chance in the first match, anchored the Indian innings along with Suresh Raina (69). They helped India reach three figures within 10 overs.

India made four changes in the side giving chance to Rahul, Dinesh Karthik, Umesh Yadav and debutant Siddarth Kaul. Virat Kohli opened the batting with Rahul but failed to make it count getting out on 9 in the third over. Kohli top-edged a pull off Peter Chase, and George Dockrell took a very well-judged skier at deep square-leg.

Raina, who came in next, timed the ball perfectly and placed them in the gaps. He welcomed Stuart Thompson with a glorious inside-out six in the fifth over that went for 17. He and Rahul added 106 for the third wicket.

Kevin O’Brien finally came to bowl the 13th over and dismissed Rahul on his very first ball. He bowled a good-length delivery that held its line, and Rahul hit it back to him. Rahul hit 3 fours and 6 sixes in his 36-ball 70. Two balls later O’Brien sent Rohit Sharma back to the pavilion. Rohit leaned forward to drive outside off, giving a simple catch to backward point.

Raina smashed a few boundaries but lost his wicket in the 18th over to O’Brien, trying to clear the field six. He smashed 5 fours and 3 sixes in his innings. Then Hardik Pandya tore into the Irish attack in the last 2 overs, which went for 39. He smashed a four and 4 massive sixes in his innings 9-ball 32 not out.

The Irish bowled 12 wides (2 extra overs) in 20 overs. O’Brien had 3 for 19 after 3 overs, but his fourth over went for 21 including 3 massive sixes from Hardik. He also joined George Dockrell in the list of most T20I wickets (58) for Ireland. Chase, who conceded only 11 off his first 2 overs gave away 31 in his next 2.

Brief Scores

India 213 in 20 overs [KL Rahul 70(36), Suresh Raina 69 (45), Hardik Pandya 32(9); Kevin O’Brien 4-0-40-3] vs Ireland.

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Siddarth Kaul, who attracted eyeballs, in the 2018 Indian Premier League  (IPL), made his T20I debut for India in the second match against Ireland at Malahide. Kaul became the 74th player to play the shortest format for India. He made his IPL debut in 2013 and had a good season this year. He picked 21 wickets in 17 matches with a decent economy of 8.28. He has overall picked 43 wickets in 38 IPL matches.

Proud moment for young @sidkaul22 as he receives his #TeamIndia cap from @msdhoni.#IREvIND pic.twitter.com/bUNeVnTUgc

— BCCI (@BCCI) June 29, 2018

Kaul got his India cap from MS Dhoni. He will bowl alongside the likes of Jasprit Bumrah and Bhuvneshwar Kumar. India are leading the two-match T20I series by 1-0 after they defeated the host by 76 runs in the first match. Kaul’s good performance in the match may give him a chance in the T20I series against England, starting July 3.

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