Rohit Sharma, the Indian captain scored 52 runs before retiring out due to an injury in his arm during their opening T20 World Cup match against Ireland which took place in New York on Wednesday.
Rohit was quick to calm down fans by saying it was not a major issue. They won the game emphatically winning by eight wickets.
The Indian attack bowled magnificently and restricted Ireland to just 97 runs.Arshdeep Singh, a left-arm fast bowler, set the precedent by dismissing two batsmen in the third over after Sharma had elected to field following his win at the toss. This left Ireland 9-2.
Later in the match, Pandya’s 3-27 included two wickets with consecutive balls and further hurt Irish chances of doing well. Meanwhile, Jasprit Bumrah allowed only six runs and took away two wickets earning him man of the match for his great performance in bowling.
Ireland’s hopes of causing an upset against India having been dismissed for just 96 hinged on perfect fielding.
Just one ball had been sent down when Rohit Sharma dropped on 2 at second slip by Andrew Balbirnie off Mark Adair.
Then Virat Kohli was caught at deep third man for one by Adair; however, India already had control of that contest as they endeavored to launch their bid for any major trophy through a powerful display in Group A.Rohit who survived this run-out chance went onto make an unbeaten fifty-two from thirty-seven balls including four boundaries and three maximums.
He returned from grave injuries he sustained after being involved in a car accident late last year and finished with an unbeaten knock of thirty-six, smashing Barry McCarthy over square-leg for a fancy reverse-scoop six India reached its destination after twenty-four overs with seven wickets still intact leaving behind almost eight overs.
But Rohit did not end up with him, he was hit on the elbow earlier in the game by Josh Little. Not minding about his injury, Rohit managed to tonk the next two balls from the fast bowler miles over the rope.
India had all but put Ireland out of reach with a cheap dismissal on this pitch that was playing low and slow at Long Island which was specially constructed for this tournament.
Yet India knew they might have to open up on a similar surface against Pakistan as they will return to play them at the same ground for their final group match on Sunday.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen when we take on Pakistan; we just need to get ready as if it’s going to be riddled with uncertainty,” Rohit said.
Gareth Delany scored 26, the most by any Ireland batsman until he lost his wicket as they got all out in the 16th over and only four of their players reached double digits.
“It was a difficult one,” Paul Stirling Ireland captain. “The toss was quite crucial on an overcast day and also the pitch had a lot of variables.
“We weren’t good enough for that, India bowled pretty well to squeeze us.”
