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On Wednesday, June 5, the Indian cricket team registered a thumping eight-wicket win over Ireland to start their T20 World Cup 2024 campaign on a bright note, thanks mainly to the quality performances from Hardik Pandya and captain Rohit Sharma. After bundling out the Irish for just 96 runs, the Indian batting lineup chased down the target with eight wickets in hand and 46 balls to spare.
Rohit Sharma, the captain of India, won the toss and decided to field first on a beautiful morning at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York. The Indian bowlers were all over the Irish batting lineup like a rash from the beginning, with Arshdeep Singh sending the openers Andy Balbirnie and the captain Paul Stirling back into the pavilion.
Hardik Pandya got into his spell, knocking the stumps down of Lorcan Tucker, and followed it up with the wicket of Curtis Campher. In the meantime, Jasprit Bumrah also removed Harry Tector from the middle, while Mohammed Siraj got rid of a dangerous George Dockrell cheaply.
Gareth Delany scored 26 off 14 with two fours and two maximums, but his innings ended with a silly run out, signalling the end of Ireland's innings for just 96 runs. Hardik Pandya was the pick of the Indian bowlers, registering figures of 3/27 in his four-over spell with a maiden as well.
In the run chase, India lost the wicket of Virat Kohli cheaply for one run, who found Ben White at third man off the bowling of Mark Adair. It led to Rohit Sharma and Rishabh Pant stitching together a 54-run stand for the second wicket, to put the Indian cricket team in firm control of the match.
After Rohit Sharma, who scored 52 off 37, retired hurt due to a blow on his right arm, Suryakumar Yadav lost his wicket cheaply, trying to slog Ben White into the stands. Shortly after, Rishabh Pant (36 off 26) went on to finish the match for India with a reverse scoop shot, which went all the way for six behind the stumps.
