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On a bowling-friendly wicket at Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York, Rohit Sharma-led India started their T20 World Cup 2024 campaign with a commanding eight-wicket win over Ireland. Ireland's top six batters failed to make a mark as they were bowled out for 96 in 16 overs. Skipper Rohit scored an unbeaten half-century while Rishabh Pant played second fiddle as India won the game with 46 balls to spare.
Horrible start for Ireland
Earlier, Rohit won the toss and opted to field first. In his second over, Arshdeep Singh struck twice to dismiss both openers Paul Stirling and Andy Balbirnie. Mohammed Siraj was economical in his opening spell as well. Ireland had 26/2 on the board after powerplay overs. Hardik Pandya was introduced into the attack and he delivered with the wicket of Lorcan Tucker. Jasprit Bumrah joined the party too as Harry Tector departed after scoring just four runs from 16 balls.
Ireland bundled out
Curtis Campher hit a six off Pandya before falling to him in the ninth over. Mohammed Siraj came back into the attack and created a few chances. He made George Dockrell his first victim. Pandya continued to strike and made Mark Adair his third victim of the day. Axar Patel was introduced into the attack and took a stunning catch to dismiss Barry McCarthy. Pandya's last over was expensive as Gareth Delany hit him for a six and Joshua Little scored a boundary. Bumrah came back into the attack and knocked over Joshua Little with a yorker. Delany hit two fours and a six in Arshdeep's over. He was dropped as well. Delany got run out off the last ball of the over for a 14-ball 26. Ireland got bowled out for 96.
Rohit hits fifty in chase
In the run chase, Rohit was dropped early by second slip fielder Balbirnie off Adair's bowling. In the next over, he hit Little for the first six of the innings. Adair got the breakthrough for Ireland with the wicket of Virat Kohli. The top-edge carried to the third man fielder. Pant walked out to bat at no.3. After powerplay overs, India were 39/1. In the ninth over, Rohit smashed Little for two consecutive sixes. He got to his half-century from 37 deliveries. The opener got retired hurt after 10 overs. He scored 52 runs from 37 balls including four fours and three sixes.
Suryakumar Yadav went for a lofted shot against Benjamin White but got caught in the deep. In the 13th over, Pant finished the run chase with an outrageous reverse hit for a six. He remained unbeaten for 26-ball 36 as India won the game by eight wickets with 46 balls to spare.
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