India vs Ireland, T20 World Cup: Bowlers, Rohit Sharma script Men in Blue's dominant eight-wicket win in opener

Rohit Sharma led from the front as India defeated Ireland by eight wickets to get their 2024 T20 World Cup campaign off to a winning start in New York on Wednesday. India won the toss and opted to field, and that decision proved to be the correct one after the India pacers dominated the proceedings, dismissing Ireland for 96 in 16 overs.

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Jasprit Bumrah (2/6) was the most impressive bowler of the lot economically, but Hardik Pandya (3/27), Mohammed Siraj (1/13), Arshdeep Singh (2/35) and Axar Patel (1/3) all made equal contributions. Gareth Delaney, with 26 runs, ended up being Ireland’s top-scorer. Delaney was involved in a 27-run stand with Joshua Little, the highest partnership for Ireland in the match.

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In reply, India lost Virat Kohli (1) early after he was caught by Benjamin White at deep third off Mark Adair’s bowling. However, Rohit Sharma (52) and Rishabh Pant forged 54 runs for the second wicket. However, the 37 year-old, who was hit on the arm earlier in the contest, retired hurt while batting on 52.

Put into bat, Arshdeep caused havoc with the new ball under overcast conditions. He sent back both Irish openers by bowling Andrew Balbirnie for five and having Paul Stirling caught behind for two.

Arshdeep was wayward in his four-over spell, though, which contributed for nearly a third of Ireland’s total runs. Pandya came in at first change and struck immediately, bowling Loran Tucker for 10 and having Curtis Campher caught behind for 12.

In between, Bumrah had Harry Tector caught for four as Ireland was down to 44-5 in nine overs. It was down to 50-8 after 11.2 overs as Pandya struck again twice. Gareth Delany provided some resistance and top-scored with 26, hitting two fours and two sixes. He was the only Irish batter to cross the 20-run mark and put on 27 runs with Joshua Little (14) for the ninth wicket, which allowed Ireland to get near 100.

Chasing a below-par total, India lost star batter Virat Kohli for one run. In a major top-order shuffle, Kohli opened the innings with Sharma but was out caught at third man attacking Mark Adair (1-27).

Ireland’s pacers also got purchase from the surface, making life tough for both Sharma and Pant. Both batters were hit on their elbows and upper arms. Sharma and Pant still added 54 off 44 balls. The Indian skipper hit four fours and three sixes to bring up his half-century.

He retired hurt after reaching the milestone, having suffered a hit on his right arm from Joshua Little. Pant hit three fours and two sixes, even as Suryakumar Yadav was out caught in the deep for two runs. Returning to international action after a gap of nearly 18 months since his car accident in December 2022, Pant finished off proceedings with a reverse hit six over the slip cordon.

India next take on Pakistan in the T20 World Cup’s marquee clash on 9 June. Ireland, meanwhile, will face Canada on 7 June.

With inputs from Associated Press