Jasprit Bumrah marked his return by claiming a pair of wickets within his initial over. He concluded the match with impressive statistics of 2 for 24, contributing significantly to his team’s narrow two-run triumph via the DLS method. Barry McCarthy’s resilient 51* off 33 balls proved to be a crucial lifeline for Ireland, rescuing them from the challenging situation of 59/6 and propelling their total to 139/7. However, India’s top-order managed to navigate the conditions adeptly, keeping them slightly ahead of the par-score as rain intervened. The match came to a halt with India at 47/2 in 6.5 overs, a lead of two runs over the par-score.
Jasprit Bumrah and Prasidh Krishna make strong comeback
India’s pace duo made a swift and impactful return following their extended injury breaks, immediately unsettling Ireland’s batting order. Bumrah initiated the damage by bowling a full delivery that dislodged Andrew Balbirnie’s stumps. In the same over, Lorcan Tucker’s attempt at a ramp shot only resulted in a catch for wicketkeeper Sanju Samson.
Also Read: Jasprit Bumrah makes Historic debut as Captain in T20, wins Player of the match
In a noteworthy debut performance, Prasidh Krishna made an immediate impact in his opening over by scalping the wicket of Harry Tector. Krishna continued his effectiveness beyond the PowerPlay, further constraining Ireland after their tumultuous start. George Dockrell fell prey to another ill-advised shot, attempting to loft the fast bowler over the infield. Unfortunately for Dockrell, his effort found Ruturaj Gaikwad stationed at cover.
Ravi Bishnoi is on the double too
Amid the two dismissals orchestrated by Prasidh Krishna, Ravi Bishnoi delivered the most significant blow to Ireland’s prospects. Paul Stirling, who had witnessed his fellow batsmen depart prematurely yet remained committed to accumulating quick runs, was confounded by a googly that shattered his stumps in the sixth over.
Subsequently, Mark Adair and Curtis Campher aimed to stabilize the innings, but their effort spanned only 24 balls. Bishnoi managed to have Adair adjudged leg before wicket. Initially, the on-field umpire dismissed the appeal, favoring the batsman, as Adair had ventured down the pitch before the delivery struck his pad. However, Bishnoi chose to utilize the review system, resulting in the overturning of the initial decision. This left Ireland in a dire situation at 59 for 6 by the 11th over.
How Ireland bounced back
A gradual and measured recovery unfolded through the efforts of Campher and Barry McCarthy. McCarthy initiated the resurgence by dispatching a flat delivery from Bishnoi over long-on for a six, while Campher executed a ramp shot against a Washington Sundar ball, guiding it over short fine leg.
In a bid for a breakthrough, Bumrah reintroduced Krishna for the 15th over, but the stroke-making persisted. McCarthy drove one through midwicket for a four in the course of a six-run over. Bumrah resumed bowling and Campher launched an attack, striking a six and a four in a 13-run over. McCarthy escalated his performance, showcasing a wide range of shots. He hammered a wide yorker from Krishna for a four over point, followed by a six over long-on and a four driven through extra cover, accumulating 15 runs in the 17th over, which propelled Ireland beyond the 100-run milestone.
Arshdeep put an end to the partnership between Campher and McCarthy by dismissing Campher with a well-executed yorker. However, McCarthy continued his efforts, determined to steer Ireland to a strong finish. Bumrah’s exceptional 19th over conceded merely a single run, but McCarthy took the initiative in the final over against Arshdeep. He struck one four and two sixes, the second of which brought him to a well-earned 51 off just 33 balls. This 22-run over contributed to Ireland reaching a commendable total of 139/7.
Steady start, rain and a par score
Initiating the chase, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Ruturaj Gaikwad embarked on a composed start, displaying confident drives when the opportunity arose. However, Ireland’s bid for early breakthroughs was impeded by their own fielding mishap, as a run-scoring miscommunication led both batters to converge at the same end. The Ireland bowlers skillfully extracted movement off the surface, generating unpredictable bounce that posed challenges for both Jaiswal and Gaikwad.
At 4.3 overs into the chase, India stood at 24/0 when light drizzle began to fall in Dublin. Should India not lose a wicket within the next three deliveries, they would still be three runs short of the par-score after the fifth over. Ruturaj Gaikwad seized the moment, executing a hook shot against a McCarthy short ball, thereby propelling India past the required mark. Subsequently, in the ensuing over, Jaiswal extended the lead by driving a full delivery through extra cover for four and launching a six over deep square leg from Joshua Little.
Ireland managed to make a comeback in the seventh over, as Craig Young dismissed both Jaiswal and Tilak Varma in consecutive deliveries. Jaiswal miscued a pull shot, leading to a catch by Stirling at mid-wicket, followed by Varma’s dismissal caught behind down the leg side on his first ball. As steady drizzle intensified and forced the teams off the field, India stood two runs ahead of the par-score at 47/2 in 6.5 overs. Subsequent play was not feasible, and India secured the two points.
