IRE v IND: Jasprit Bumrah shines on comeback as India beat Ireland via DLS method in rain-marred 1st T20I

India clinched a 2-run victory in the first T20I, which was hampered by rain, against Ireland in Dublin on Friday, August 18.

India reached 47 for 2 in 6.5 overs when the rain started pouring down in their chase of 140. The visitors were 2 runs ahead of the Duckworth Lewis and Stern (DLS) par score, thanks to a steady opening partnership from Ruturaj Gaikwad and Yashasvi Jaiswal.

While the batters did just enough to be ahead of the DLS par score, it was the bowling attack, led by captain Jasprit Bumrah, that shone. Bumrah excelled on his return to competitive cricket for the first time since September 2022, picking up 2 wickets and bowling 16 dot balls in his 4-over spell.

The two captains shook their hands as the thousands of fans, majorly Indian cricket supporters, were left disappointed as Ireland were deprived the opportunity to apply more pressure on India after two wickets in the same over of the chase. India lost Yashasvi Jaiswal and Tilak Varma, for a golden duck, as Craig Young got Ireland back into the contest before the rain gods played spoilsport.

BUMRAH RETURNS IN STYLE

However, the highlight of the match that lasted just 26.5 overs was Jasprit Bumrah’s sensational performance on his return to the international set-up. With the team management and selectors, who are set to meet on Monday to pick the Aisa Cup squad, keeping an eye on Bumrah’s showing in Ireland, the fast bowler came out all guns blazing.

Bumrah bowled 16 dot balls in his 4-over spell and picked up 2 wickets, both of which came in the first over of the contest after he won the toss as captain and opted to field.

Bumrah used himself wonderfully well, giving himself two overs in the powerplay, one in the middle-overs (15th) and one at the death. In the 19th over, Bumrah gave away just 1 run, making sure Ireland did not run away with it.

Prasidh Krishna, who also made his return from a back injury, picked up 2 wickets while Ravi Bishnoi shone with figures of 2 for 23.

Arshdeep Singh picked up the big wicket of Curtis Campher, who rescued Ireland’s innings after they were reduced to 59 for 6.

However, he conceded aplenty in the final over as Barry McCArthy, who became the first man to hit a fifty while batting at No. 8 or lower against India in T20Is, came up with a stunning onslaught for his 51 not out.