India crush Ireland in their T20 World Cup opener

Rishabh Pant’s return to international cricket saw him get promoted to No. 3 in the batting order and succeed, the left-handed batsman scoring an unbeaten 36 off 26 balls (3x4s, 2x6s) to help India start their T20 World Cup campaign with a win over Ireland.

Pant’s reverse ramp shot on the second ball of the 13th over that fetched a six and finished the match was a standout shout that left social media in a tizzy.

Skipper Rohit Sharma had earlier laid a strong foundation with classy batting, scoring 52 off 37 balls (4x4s, 3x6s) on a difficult pitch at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York to lead India’s chase of a small 97-run target.

He had to retire hurt.

“[My arm is] Just a little sore,” the India skipper said after the match.  

Ireland were bowled out for 96 in 10 overs with Jasprit Bumrah picking 2/6 in three overs and Hardik Pandya taking 3/27 in his four overs. Pandya returned to form after a poor outing in Indian Premier League, where he failed not just as a player but also as skipper of the Mumbai Indians team.

The pitch came into discussion once again.

“I said it at the toss as well. Quite unsure of what to expect from the pitch. We are not aware of 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. There was enough for the bowlers,” said Sharma after the match.

 

 

Cricket, India, T20 World Cup, Rishabh Pant, Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah