Ruturaj had a calf niggle, didn't want to risk him: Hardik Pandya

Following a win in his first-ever match in charge as captain, Hardik Pandya confirmed that Ruturaj Gaikwad had a calf niggle and did not want to risk him in the first T20 International (T20I) against Ireland in Dublin.

India eased to a seven-wicket victory in a match reduced to 12 overs per side due to the rain.

With Gaikwad not opening, Deepak Hooda opened for the first time in T20 cricket, alongside Ishan Kishan, and finished the game off with an unbeaten 29-ball 47, with six fours and a couple of sixes punctuating his innings.

"Ruturaj had a calf niggle, and we had a chance to send him out by taking some risk. But I was not okay. For me a player's health is more important, the match will take care of itself," Pandya said after India went 1-o up in the two-match T20I series.

"So we didn't make much of a change, whatever everyone's number was we went one place up. And it was not much of a headache. It was important to make sure Rutu was not put under much risk and take much of a chance with him.

"And very happy for Hooda as well because at the last minute to know you're going to open and then finish off the game, it shows character. Very happy for him."

Pandya was also full of praise for Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Yuzvendra Chahal, who was awarded the player of the match for his spell of 1 for 11. 

"Obviously Bhuvi everyone knows what his caliber is as a bowler. He always comes and does the same thing but sometimes his work goes under the carpet, he's not talked about a lot. But if you look at history, and the way he has performed then he commands a lot of respect and he deserves to get it too. For me, Bhuvi is top class," the India skipper said.

"And same thing with Yuzi as well, he's a matchwinner. Whenever he gets the ball, I tell him to bowl what he wants to and he'll help you win the match."

While the idea is to give many players a chance to prove their worth ahead of the T20 World Cup, Pandya remains confident that India would zero in on the final squad closer to the mega event.

"It's early, but yes our ultimate goal will be to get better for the World Cup. And the whole management and all the boys who are not here, our goal is to make sure how can we get better for World Cup," Pandya, who picked up the wicket of Paul Stirling and chipped with 24 off 12, said.

"And this is one good step we've taken where intentionally our attitude and the kind of character we're showing, it's going to help us in the World Cup when the crunch game comes.

"You get experience while playing, that has been a constant effort from the management. And the guys they're looking forward to, make sure they're there in the World Cup squad or in the scheme of things. 

"They want to give them the best opportunity to get a couple of games under their belt, rather than just coming towards the World Cup and getting their first game. So we want people to kind of settle in. And I'm sure by the time the World Cup comes, we're going to get to a tighter squad."

Hardik will lead India again in the second and final T20I against Ireland in Dublin on Tuesday (June 28).