India started their T20 World Cup 2024 campaign with an easy win against Ireland by 8 wickets. While none had any doubts about the team being able to beat their opponent, the pitch rose concerns for the upcoming possible spectacle against Pakistan. The previous encounter between both the nations in Australia produced a classic with one of greatest knocks by Virat Kohli under pressure.
The pitch prepared at new constructed stadium in New York did not seem to hold up for a full one-day match too. It looked heavily under prepared even though it proved not to be a minefield. After a batting friendly IPL 2024, T20 World Cup 2024 matches seem to be lazy Test morning sessions with no proper balance between bat and ball.
Experts have lashed out against ICC for choosing to host World Cup in USA, which doesn’t really boast of great cricketing awareness and infrastructure. Any how, as India will take on Pakistan, this Sunday, fans hope that it won’t a damn squib like this one. Going into the details, Rohit Sharma, Indian Captain won the toss and elected to field first.
Indian bowlers utilized the conditions perfectly and blew away Ireland Top Order. Batters could not even look touch the ball with the bat. Gareth Delany(26) and Josh Little(14) late innings cracks helped Ireland to reach 96 from 16 overs with 15 extras helping their cause. Jasprit Bumrah proved his class and ended with 2/6 from his 3 overs. Hardik Pandya took some beating in context of the match but ended with 3/27 figures.
Arshdeep Singh(2/35), Axar Patel(1/3), Mohammad Siraj(1/13) all took wickets. In the chase, Virat Kohli(1) failed but Rohit Sharma scored 52(37) and retired due to shoulder injury. Rishabh Pant(36) finished the innings with some eye-catching shots, proving to be really back in the mix. India scored 97/2 in 12.2 overs and won by 8 wickets with 46 balls remaining. Bumrah for his spell got rewarded with Player of the Match award.
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