IRE v IND: Jasprit Bumrah reflects on return after winning Player of Match Award in India T20I captaincy debut
Jasprit Bumrah reflected on his return to international cricket after winning the Player of the Match in the first T20I against Ireland in Dublin on Friday, August 18. Bumrah, who was sidelined from the team due to a lower-back stress fracture, made a sensational return to the Indian team, claiming two wickets for 24 runs in the series opener.
When asked whether there were any nerves, Bumrah, at the post-match presentation said, “Not really, when you are captaining you are thinking more about the whole team and not just your own performance. Very happy that the weather was helpful for the bowlers. In every game you want more and you always search for a perfect game. Credit to them (Ireland) as well for keeping their nerves in a crisis.”
“Felt very good. So many sessions I did at the NCA and the practice games. Didn’t feel like I missed out a lot or I’m doing something new so credit to the staff there. Very happy to be back and always good to contribute.”
India emerged victorious in the first T20I against Ireland, securing a two-run win through the DLS method. India demonstrated a remarkable performance as they outclassed Ireland, by restricting them to a below-average score of 139 for seven.
The spotlight was on Bumrah, who led the Indian pace attack, making an imposing comeback after being on hiatus for 11 months due to injury. Bumrah showed supreme bowling skills as he claimed two wickets for 24, significantly constraining the scoring rate of Ireland. He was aptly supported by fellow pacer Prasidh Krishna, who claimed two wickets for 32 and spinner Ravi Bishnoi, who took two wickets for 23.
India, in response, were at 47 for the lose of two wickets in 6.5 overs, when the game was disrupted by rain. Despite the disturbance, the Indian team was ahead of Ireland by two runs as per the DLS par score. Up to that point, openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and Ruturaj Gaikwad had contributed with a valuable 46-run partnership in 6.2 overs. Gaikwad, who scored 19 not out, was at the crease with Sanju Samson when rain halted the match.
Earlier, Ireland exhibited a poor start, losing their half side at 59 in 11 overs. However, a late onslaught from lower-order batter Barry McCarthy, who unleashed a blistering 33-ball 51 not out, including four boundaries and four sixes, provided a glimmer of hope. His efforts ensured that Ireland cross the 100 run mark.
Despite the delay and challenges, India demonstrated a commendable performance to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. The teams now move on to the next match with India aiming to seal the series and Ireland looking to make a comeback.
