Sport
Bumrah shines as India beat Ireland in rain-hit clash
The Indian pacer is making a comeback after long injury lay-off
August 19, 2023 | 12:23 AM
Jasprit Bumrah marked his first India appearance in nearly a year with two wickets as the tourists defeated Ireland by two runs during a rain-affected opening Twenty20 international in Dublin on Friday.India sped to 45 without loss in six overs in pursuit of a target of 140 and, even though Craig Young then took two wickets in two balls, they were still narrowly ahead on the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method when a lengthy shower prevented any further play at Malahide.The 29-year-old Bumrah, returning from back surgery and captaining India in the three-match series in the absence of Rohit Sharma, led from the front by dismissing Andy Balbirnie and Lorcan Tucker in the opening over.Balbirnie got a thin inside edge into his stumps while Tucker’s attempted ramp merely lobbed to wicketkeeper Sanju Samson, with Bumrah - one of the world’s leading pacemen when fully fit - taking an encouraging 2-24 from his maximum four overs.Captain Bumrah said on Friday: "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.”When asked if he had any nerves, Bumrah said: "Not really, when you’re 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 as well for keeping their nerves in a crisis. Everybody has a lot of belief in their game and I think the IPL also helps them. The bunch that we have is very confident and that’s a good sign for our team.”Ireland stumbled to 59-6 after losing the toss, with Prasidh Krishna and Ravi Bishnoi also taking two wickets a largely second-string India.Barry McCarthy’s aggressive 51 not out from just 33 balls helped take Ireland to 139-7, with the number eight hitting four fours and as many sixes.McCarthy said on Friday: "Always nice to contribute to the team. Disappointed to not go over the line.”On his partnership with Curtis Campher, McCarthy said: "We knew we could put a score on the board. We are both aggressive players and we wanted to stay positive. I think playing the positive way brings the game into the hands of someone who is going to get you to a score. Taking the game to the opposition is the best way. Happy to contribute to the team no matter what position I bat in.”In reply, Yashasvi Jaiswal ended the powerplay with a huge pulled six off Josh Little.That hit proved the difference after Young dismissed Jaiswal (24) and Tilak Varma with successive deliveries. Two balls later, however, rain forced the players from the field with India just ahead on DLS at 47-2 off 6.5 overs.India will now look to secure a series win when the teams return to Malahide for the second T20 tomorrow.BRIEF SCORESIndia 47 for 2 (Jaiswal 24, Young 2-2) beat Ireland 139 for 7 (McCarthy 51*, Bumrah 2-24, Prasidh 2-32) by two runs via DLS method
August 19, 2023 | 12:23 AM