The Indian Cricket Team began the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 with a resounding 8-wicket win over Ireland at Nassau County Cricket Ground, New York on 5th June. Chasing a modest total of 97 runs to win, Rohit Sharma survived a few anxious moments dropped in the first over itself.
Virat Kohli came to open the innings and went cheaply caught at third man. Rohit Sharma showed intent in putting pressure on the Ireland bowlers. The pitch had a lot of seam movement for the bowlers.
Rohit was hit on the arm by Joshua Little before hitting two sixes in the same over. He completed fifty off 36 deliveries before retiring hurt after the drinks break. It was a good innings by Rohit remaining not out on 52 off 36 balls with 4 fours and 3 sixes. Pant and Rohit added 54 runs for the 2nd wicket.
Suryakumar Yadav was caught by Dockrell at deep midwicket. Pant hit winning runs with a reverse sweep six to help the Indian team win the match by 8 wickets with 46 balls to spare. Rohit looked in good touch putting bad deliveries away for big shots and kept the scoreboard ticking.
Rohit Sharma completed 1000 runs in T20 World Cup history. India will face arch-rivals Pakistan on 9th June at the same venue. Rohit said in a post-match presentation that it is a little sore and would be fit for a match against Pakistan.
However, Rohit Sharma, India captain gave an update on his injury, saying: “Yeah, just a little sore (the arm). I said it at the toss as well. Quite unsure of what to expect from the pitch. Not aware on what it is to play like on a pitch that’s five months old. I don’t think the wicket settled down even when we batted second.”
Indian Pace bowlers did a great job
The Indian pace bowlers did a grand job of bowling out Ireland for a modest total of 97 on a tough batting paradise. Indian captain Rohit Sharma won the toss and decided to bowl first.
Arshdeep Singh struck twice in the same getting wickets of Paul Stirling and Andrew Balbirnie. Singh struggled with his rhythm during his 3rd over conceding extras. Indian bowlers gave away 26 at the end of the first six overs.
Hardik Pandya produced a peach to dismiss Lorcan Tucker. Bumrah bowled brilliantly on the first over without giving in any runs. He then got rid of Harry Tector caught by Kohli. Pandya delivered another lovely delivery to dismiss Curtis Campher leaving Ireland in trouble at 44 for 5.
Indian bowlers kept picking wickets at regular intervals. Joshua Little and Gareth Delany added important runs before Bumrah bowled a stunning delivery to dismiss Little. Delany was run out from a free hit. Bumrah was the pick of bowlers with 2 for 6, Arshdeep 2 for 35, Hardik Pandya 3 for 27, Axar Patel and Siraj 1 wicket each.
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