‘Total control’ is how we can sum up India’s fine performance against Ireland, as the Men in Blue got their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 adventure off to a flying start with an eight-wicket triumph. 

With the uncertainty of the pitch conditions, Rohit Sharma opted to bowl first after winning the toss. But going ahead, it was a masterclass with the ball as his unit - led by Hardik Pandya (3/27) and Jasprit Bumrah (2/6) - bowled out Ireland for a target of 97.

In reply, the Hitman (52) - who had a milestone-laden outing - and Rishabh Pant (36*) powered the Men in Blue to complete the chase inside 12.2 overs.

We revisit how our first challenge of the T20 World Cup 2024 ensued.

Arshdeep is two hot to handle for Ireland

After conceding three runs in his opening over, Arshdeep Singh made the breakthrough - not once but twice - in his second. First, his length ball took a leading edge of Paul Stirling to Rishabh Pant. And to round up the over, he crashed into Andrew Balbirnie’s middle stump.

India command powerplay

After Arshdeep’s double strike, Jasprit Bumrah bowled the final over of the powerplay with precision, class and authority to register six dots on the trot. At the end of six overs, India would restrict Ireland to 26/2.

Hardik’s three-dimensional act

Wicket 1 - Hitting the middle stump

Wicket 2 - Thin edge to Rishabh Pant

Wicket 3 - Caught by Shivam Dube

HP’s return to international cricket was perfect, as he bagged three wickets in his first 13 balls. And at the end of his spell, he finished with impressive figures of 4-1-27-3.

Target locked: 97

BOOM BOOM’s tight spell (2/6 in three overs) and wickets from Axar Patel (1/3) and Mohammed Siraj (1/13) propelled the Men in Blue to bowl out Ireland for 96.

Hitman magic in New York

4000 runs in T20Is

600 sixes in international cricket

1000 runs in T20I World Cups

Half-century in New York

Ro-HIT Sharma, with his trademark determination and ease, led India’s run-chase with a brilliant innings of 52 in 37 balls. His performance, filled with moments of sheer brilliance, brought smiles to the Blue supporters at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium.

Pant finishes it in style

Coming in to bat at number three, Rishabh Pant took the baton from Rohit Sharma and carried India to the finish line. His unbeaten innings of 36 runs from 26 balls comprised three boundary fours and two sixes at a strike rate of 138.46.

The team's fine-tuned combined effort, with a strategy focused on aggressive bowling and efficient run-chasing, saw the Men in Blue open their account at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 with a win. We build on this and go into the next game against arch-rivals Pakistan on Sunday, June 9, at 8 PM IST.

Brief scores: India 97/2 (Rohit Sharma 52, Rishabh Pant 36*; Benjamin White 1/6) BEAT Ireland 96 (Gareth Delany 26, Joshua Little 14; Hardik Pandya 3/27, Jasprit Bumrah 2/6) by EIGHT WICKETS.