T20 World Cup 2024, IRE vs IND: Pacers' 8-81 and Rohit Sharma's fifty help India beat Ireland. Top takeaways for India from the match.
Brief Scores: Ireland 96 (Gerath Delany 26, Hardik Pandya 3/27, Jasprit Bumrah 2/6) lost to India 97/2 (Rohit Sharma 52*, Rishabh Pant 36*, Benjamin White 1/6) by 8 wickets.
Player of the Match: Jasprit Bumrah (2/6)
India opened its account in the T20 World Cup 2024 as they faced a spirited Ireland side in the side’s first Group A game at the Nassau County International Ground in New York.
Opting to bowl, India bowlers made the best use of the overhead conditions as their pacers made easy work of Irish by picking nine wickets between them.
India needed to chase just 97 and Rohit Sharma's counter-attacking half-century in just 36 balls on a tricky pitch ensured India reached the target without hiccups.
India secured an eight-wicket win and maintained a clean record (8-0) against Ireland in the T20 format.
Key Takeaways from IRE vs IND, Game 8, Group A, Winning Team (IND)
Harkid Pandya bowling in middle overs and taking wickets is a good sign
The designated vice-captain of the India team, Hardik Pandya, had a tough time with the ball in the recently concluded IPL. He was on the expensive side in the tournament, picking just 11 wickets in 14 games.
However, Hardik was at his best in the team’s opening encounter against Ireland. Post the powerplays, taking advantage of helpful conditions; the pacer came to party right from the word go as he picked a wicket apiece in each of his first three overs.
This denied Ireland’s chance of making a comeback and proved detrimental in them getting bowled out under 100.
Hardik’s splendid returns with the ball augur well for the team, as the pitches here in the USA are seemingly favoring the pacers.
Read More: T20 WC 2024: Shivam Dube or Hardik Pandya? Which all-rounder gets the nod in India's starting XI?
Good team selection by Rohit & Management
There were many discussions about the best playing XI on the park for Team India, and in the given conditions, we may have found out the answers.
The men in blue went in with six specialist bowlers and Shivam Dube while extending batting until No.8. With Bumrah leading the attack and three other genuine bowlers, along with quality spinners Ravindra Jadeja and Axar, their bowling attack seems to be complete.
The other thing to notice is a left-right batting combination throughout the line-up with the right balance of power and finesse. All credit should go to the team management for selecting the best possible XI.
Read More: T20 WC 2024: Challenges India's management will have to address in absence of Impact Player rule
Statistical highlights from IRE vs IND, Game 8, Group A
Ireland skipper Paul Stirling has got out the only time he faced Jasprit Bumrah in T20Is. In this, the right-hander got out to Arshdeep Singh.
India and Ireland have faced each other seven times in the shortest format before this game. The Rohit Sharma-led side emerged victorious in all of those games. Axar Patel took his 50th wicket in the shortest format for India.
Rohit Sharma came into this game just 26 shy of becoming the third batter to reach the 4000-run landmark in T20Is. He crossed the milestone successfully, joining Virat Kohli and Pakistan’s Babar Azam.
Rishabh Pant became the 11th batter from India to breach 1000-run landmark in the format.
Rohit (1015*) surpassed Chris Gayle’s tally to become the third-highest run-scorer in T20 World Cups. Only Mahela Jayawardene, with 1016, and Virat Kohli, with 1142, have more runs than the India opener.
He also became the first batter to smash 600 sixes in international cricket.
What’s next to come
With this win, India takes an early lead in Group A. They next face their arch-rivals at the same venue on June 9. Ireland can script a win as they take on Canada in New York in two days.
The second game of the day will see Uganda take on Papua New Guinea at Guyana.