IRE vs IND, 3rd T20I: Rain washes out final match as India seal series 2-0 at Dublin

India defeated Ireland 2-0 to seal the 3-match T20I series after rain did not ease off at Malahide on Wednesday, 23 August. The final game of the series, which was expected to start at 7:30 PM IST did not see a single ball getting bowled due to consistent drizzle and the umpires were forced to call off the game at 10:30 PM IST.

The ground staff tried their best to dry up the ground and the covers were even removed at around 10:15 PM with the hope of 5-over a side game. However, upon inspection, the umpires felt that conditions were not safe enough for the players to go out in the middle.

India came into the final match with an unassailable lead hoping to try out their bench strength, maybe even hand a debut to Jitesh Sharma. Those plans were swept under the rug as they were forced to wait on the sidelines. Ireland also did not get a chance to grab a chance for one final push against India, which Andrew Balbirnie has talked about in the second T20I match of the series.

Only one full game was possible in



the series - in the 2nd T20I match on Monday, 21 August. India - guided by Ruturaj Gaikwad's half-century and some impressive hitting from Rinku Singh and Shivam Dube were able to put up a total of 185 runs for the loss of 5 wickets. Coming into bowl, India were impressive - especially Jasprit Bumrah and Prasidh Krishna - who left the Irish in tatters in the second innings of the match.

Barring Andrew Balbirnie's rapid 72 off 51, India controlled the proceedings, winning the game by 33 runs. Japsrit Bumrah bowled a maiden wicket over in the final over of the chase to seal things off for the visiting team.

Earlier in the first T20I match, India managed a narrow victory by 2 runs, via the DLS method. Chasing 140 runs, India were able to score 47/2 in 6.5 overs when rain came pelting down in Dublin.

India will take good memories from the tour. Jasprit Bumrah and Prasidh Krishna made fantastic returns to the side, while the likes of Ruturaj Gaikwad and Rinku Singh showed that Indian cricket is in right hands.