India thrashed Ireland by 8 wickets in their T20 World Cup 2024 opening game in New York on Wednesday. The Men in Blue next face arch-rivals Pakistan on June 9.
India beat Ireland by 8 wickets in their opening T20 World Cup game. (Photo: PTI)
New Delhi: Indian bowlers produced a sensational show in their Group A T20 World Cup 2024 opening game against Ireland, devastating their opponents by 8 wickets in New York. On a slow pitch at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, Indian bowling attack, led by Hardik Pandya showcased a dominant effort to skittle out the Irish side for a paltry 96 in 16 overs, before the batters scored the target easily in just the 13th over.
Rohit smashes records
Chasing 97, the early wicket of star batter Virat Kohli (1) was the only minus point in the effortless chase led by skipper Rohit Sharma (52 retired hurt) and southpaw Rishabh Pant (36 not out), who smashed a six to get the team home. Rohit, meanwhile, became the first batter to smash 600 sixes in international cricket and also became the second Indian batter and third overall to amass 4000 runs in the shortest format of the game.
For Ireland, Mark Adair claimed the precious wicket of Kohli while Suryakumar Yadav (2) was dismissed by Benjamin White, while attempting a six to finish off the things.
Hardik, Bumrah, Arshdeep shine for Men in Blue
Earlier, India’s pace quartet led by Hardik Pandya produced a dominant effort on a spicy pitch to bowl out the Irish team for a low score on Wednesday. Pandya (3/27) led India’s effort with the ball and he received able support from Arshdeep Singh (2/33) and Jasprit Bumrah (2/6) after skipper Rohit elected to bowl first in their tournament opener.
Ireland never looked in the right frame of mind in their first game as they kept on losing wickets at regular intervals, succumbing in front of a quality Indian bowling attack. While lot was expected from the opening pair of Andrew Balbirnie and skipper Paul Stirling, the duo failed to execute getting out for scores of 5 and 2 respectively.
Another key player Harry Tector too failed to display any effort as he went back to the pavilion for just 4. Curtis Campher scored 12 while Gareth Delany (26) tried his hand with the bat but was unfortunately run out. India next play Pakistan in New York on June 9 while Ireland face Canada on June 7.
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