IRE vs IND: 1st T20I Review – Indian bowlers clinch victory

India began their Ireland tour on a winning note as the Jasprit Bumrah-led side beat the hosts by 2 runs (DLS method) in the first T20I at The Village, Dublin. After being put in to bat first, Ireland posted 139/7 in their allotted 20 overs courtesy of a brilliant half-century from Barry McCarthy (51* off 33). Fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah shone on his comeback as he picked 2/24 in his four-over spell.

In reply, Indian openers Yashasvi Jaiswal (24 off 23) and Ruturaj Gaikwad (19* off 16) gave a good start to their side by adding 46 runs for the first wicket off 38 balls. However, Craig Young’s double-wicket seventh over brought Ireland back into the game as he dismissed Jaiswal and Tilak Varma (0) on consecutive deliveries.

India were 47/2 after 6.5 overs when the rain came pouring down to interrupt the game. Unfortunately, there was no more play possible and India were awarded a win being two runs ahead of the DLS par score at that stage.

Indian skipper Bumrah was awarded Player of the Match on his comeback. This win marked India’s sixth consecutive win in T20Is over Ireland and also helped them maintain their unbeaten record against the hosts.

Top Performers of the Match

Jasprit Bumrah (2/24, 4 overs)

All eyes were on the speedster as he walked out to bowl for the first time in international cricket after one year. Bumrah bowled a loosener on the very first ball of the innings and was punished for a four by Andrew Balbirnie. However, he made a remarkable comeback on the very next ball and destroyed his stumps through an inside edge. Furthermore, he dismissed Lorcan Tucker for a duck in the same over to give a double whammy to Ireland in the first over itself.

Barry McCarthy (51* off 33)

Ireland were staring down the barrel at 59/6 after 10.3 overs and were on the verge of getting bundled out inside 20 overs. However, McCarthy stitched a 57-run stand for the seventh wicket Curtis Campher (39 off 33) to first help his side cross the 100-run mark. He later took on the Arshdeep Singh in the last over, getting 22 runs to give his side a strong finish on 139/7 after 20 overs. McCarthy remained unbeaten on 51 off 33, smashing four fours and four sixes in his innings.

What next?

The two teams will meet at the same venue in the second game of the three-match series on August 20.