India vs Ireland 1st T20I 2022 Highlights: Deepak Hooda, Hardik Pandya power India to 7-wicket win in rain-curtailed contest

Update 9.33 pm IST (4.03 pm GMT) - It's raining now. The wait continues. Thick heavy clouds are still around. The umpires are on the ground, getting the latest information from the groundsmen. Let's hope for some better weather soon.

More than cricket, we have interviews to push as updates for now. Here is Ruturaj Gaikwad. The Indian opener says that it has been a good learning curve for him and representing India is something you dream of. Adds that you learn a lot when you play with top players and he praises Hardik Pandya for his captaincy during the recently concluded Indian T20 League. Gaikwad is excited to play under Pandya. He reckons that batting in Ireland is going to be challenging. Shares that the preparation went really well. Mentions that it is a bit of a challenge to open the innings but as an opener, he gets an opportunity to bat the full quota of 20 overs, so he enjoys batting at the top. Talks about his international career so far and says that he is happy with the progress he has made as a professional cricketer.

Update 9.11 pm IST (3.41 pm GMT) - Unfortunately, the covers are still on. The rain has stopped but it looks more like a precautionary move to keep the covers on as the dark clouds are still hovering over the ground. We can see India's head coach for this series, VVS Laxman, having a word with the match officials. Later on, the two umpires were seen chatting with the two captains as well. Not sure what was said! We will let you know if we get any updates. Stay tuned.

We had a short burst of rain after the toss but luckily it looks clear now and Alan Wilkins (on air) informs us that we will most probably have a full game here. We trust you, Wilko!

Avesh Khan is down for a quick chat. He says that the ball swings here and he will try his best to make good use of any help that bowlers will get. Adds that it is a proud moment for him to represent India and he considers every match as a new beginning and tries to learn from every game. Mentions that he tries to learn from Bhuvneshwar Kumar on how the pitch is behaving as he bowls the first over most of the time and shares that he enjoys practising with the other bowlers. Tells that it is just the start of his international career and he is looking to perform whenever he gets an opportunity and feels that it will be important to adapt to the different conditions.

Ireland (Playing XI) - Andy Balbirnie (C), Paul Stirling, Gareth Delany, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker (WK), George Dockrell, Mark Adair, Andy McBrine, Craig Young, Josh Little, Conor Olphert.

Andy Balbirnie, the skipper of Ireland, says that they would have bowled first as the covers were on and there will be some help for the bowlers. Tells that the squad is brilliant and the guys are very excited and they will look to play a good brand of cricket. Mentions that playing India is great and it is good for the game in Ireland and to have a full house at Malahide is excellent. Talks about the new coach and shares that he is getting along with the team quite well. Informs that Conor Olphert will make his debut.

India (Playing XI) - Ishan Kishan, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Deepak Hooda, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya (C), Dinesh Karthik (WK), Axar Patel, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Avesh Khan, Yuzvendra Chahal, Umran Malik.

Hardik Pandya, the captain of India, says that they want to bowl first looking at the forecast, otherwise they would have batted first. Adds that Ireland is showing the three kinds of weather and it is all over the place. Says that he is looking forward to the two upcoming games. Mentions that it's an honour for him to lead India and a special moment in his life. Tells that they all are professionals and his role is simple, just to back his players. Confirms that Umran Malik is making his debut.