Cricket is a game that unites fans across the globe, and when two teams like India and Ireland face off, it’s always a moment to cherish. On June 5, 2024, the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York hosted an exciting match between the India National Cricket Team vs Ireland Cricket Team Match Scorecard during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024. It was the eighth match of Group A, and it marked the beginning of India’s campaign in the tournament. Let’s dive into the details of this match, break down the scorecard, and relive the key moments in a way that’s easy for everyone to enjoy, whether you’re a die-hard cricket fan or just curious about the game.
The Stage is Set: India National Cricket Team vs Ireland Cricket Team Match Scorecard in T20 World Cup 2024
The T20 World Cup is one of the biggest stages in cricket, where teams battle it out in the fast-paced, high-energy Twenty20 format. India, led by captain Rohit Sharma, entered the tournament as one of the favorites, boasting a star-studded lineup with players like Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, and Rishabh Pant. Ireland, under the leadership of Paul Stirling, came in as underdogs but with a reputation for spirited performances and the potential to cause upsets. The match was played on a challenging pitch in New York, known for its unpredictable bounce and seam movement, which added an extra layer of excitement.
India won the toss and chose to bowl first, a decision that made sense given the overcast conditions and the pitch’s reputation for favoring bowlers early on. Ireland, aware of the tough task ahead, aimed to put up a competitive total against India’s world-class bowling attack. Let’s break down how the match unfolded, starting with Ireland’s innings, followed by India’s chase, and then a detailed look at the scorecard.
Ireland’s Innings: A Tough Day at the Office
Ireland’s batting lineup faced a daunting challenge against India’s pace-heavy attack. The Indian bowlers, led by Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Siraj, and Hardik Pandya, made the most of the conditions, exploiting the pitch’s seam movement and variable bounce. Ireland’s innings got off to a shaky start, and they struggled to build momentum.
Early Wickets Set the Tone
The tone was set in the very first over when Arshdeep Singh struck, dismissing Ireland’s captain Paul Stirling for just 2 runs. Stirling, a key player known for his aggressive batting, was caught behind by Rishabh Pant, leaving Ireland at 7/1 after 2.1 overs. Soon after, Andrew Balbirnie, another crucial batter, fell to Arshdeep for 5 runs, caught by Pant again, making it 9/2 in 2.6 overs. The Indian pacers were relentless, and the pitch was doing them plenty of favors with its unpredictable bounce.
By the end of the powerplay (the first six overs), Ireland were struggling at 26/2, with Arshdeep’s fiery spell putting them on the back foot. The pressure continued as Hardik Pandya joined the party, removing Lorcan Tucker for 10 runs in the 6.5th over. Tucker, Ireland’s wicketkeeper, tried to stabilize the innings but was bowled by Pandya, leaving Ireland at 28/3.
Middle Overs Collapse
The middle overs saw Ireland’s batting lineup crumble under the weight of India’s disciplined bowling. Harry Tector, one of Ireland’s most promising batters, was dismissed by Bumrah for just 4 runs, caught by Virat Kohli in the 7.6th over. At 36/4, Ireland were in deep trouble. Curtis Campher showed some fight, scoring a quick 12 off 8 balls, including a four and a six, but his resistance was cut short by Pandya, who had him caught by Pant in the 8.6th over.
George Dockrell and Mark Adair fell cheaply, with Dockrell bowled by Mohammed Siraj for 3 runs and Adair caught by Shivam Dube off Pandya’s bowling for 3 runs. By the 10th over, Ireland were reeling at 49/7, and it seemed like they might not even reach 100 runs.
A Late Fightback by Delany
Just when it looked like Ireland would be bowled out quickly, Gareth Delany provided a spark of resistance. Delany played a gutsy knock, scoring 26 runs off 14 balls, including two fours and two sixes. His aggressive approach gave Ireland some hope of posting a respectable total. However, the Indian bowlers kept chipping away, with Axar Patel dismissing Barry McCarthy for a duck in the 11.2th over, caught and bowled.
Delany’s cameo ended in the 16th over when he was run out for 26, thanks to a sharp effort by Mohammed Siraj and Rishabh Pant. Ireland’s innings wrapped up at 96/10 in 16 overs, with Joshua Little (14 runs) and Benjamin White (2 runs) adding a few runs at the end. Hardik Pandya was the standout bowler for India, finishing with figures of 3 wickets for 27 runs in 4 overs. Jasprit Bumrah was equally impressive, taking 2 wickets for just 6 runs in 3 overs, while Arshdeep Singh and Mohammed Siraj picked up 2 and 1 wickets, respectively.
Ireland’s total of 96 was a modest one, but the pitch’s challenging nature meant that India’s chase wouldn’t be a walk in the park. The stage was set for an intriguing second half.
India’s Chase: Rohit and Pant Steer the Ship
Chasing 97 runs to win, India sent out their star openers, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, to get the job done. However, the pitch continued to pose challenges, with uneven bounce and seam movement troubling the batters. Ireland’s bowlers, led by Mark Adair and Joshua Little, aimed to make life difficult for India’s formidable batting lineup.
A Rocky Start
India’s chase didn’t start as smoothly as expected. Virat Kohli, one of the best batters in the world, was dismissed early for just 1 run, caught by Mark Adair off his own bowling in the powerplay. At 39/1 after the powerplay, India were in a decent position, but the loss of Kohli put some pressure on the middle order.
Rohit Sharma, however, was in fine form. The Indian captain played with his trademark aggression, hitting boundaries and sixes to keep the scoreboard ticking. He reached his half-century in 36 balls, a crucial knock that included four fours and two sixes. Unfortunately, Rohit had to retire hurt after being struck on the arm by a rising delivery from Joshua Little. His 52 runs off 37 balls gave India a solid foundation, but his departure at 76/2 raised some concerns.
Pant Seals the Deal
With Rohit sidelined, Rishabh Pant took charge, showing why he’s one of the most exciting talents in world cricket. Pant, who was hit on the elbow during his innings, played with grit and flair. His unbeaten 36 off 26 balls included three fours and a match-winning six—a stunning reverse scoop off Barry McCarthy in the 12.2th over that sailed over the keeper’s head. Pant’s audacious strokeplay sealed an eight-wicket victory for India with 46 balls to spare.
Suryakumar Yadav (2 runs) and Shivam Dube (0 not out) played brief roles, but it was Pant’s composure and flair that ensured India crossed the finish line comfortably. Ireland’s bowlers, despite their efforts, couldn’t defend the low total, with Mark Adair (1/27) being the only wicket-taker.
The Scorecard: A Detailed Breakdown
To give you a clear picture of the match, here’s the full scorecard, presented in an easy-to-read table format.
India National Cricket Team vs Ireland Cricket Team Match Scorecard, ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, 8th Match, Group A
Venue: Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, New York
Date: June 5, 2024
Result: India won by 8 wickets (with 46 balls remaining)
Player of the Match: Jasprit Bumrah (India) – 2 wickets for 6 runs
Ireland Innings (96/10 in 16 overs)
|
Batter |
Dismissal |
Runs |
Balls |
4s |
6s |
Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Paul Stirling (c) |
c Pant b Arshdeep Singh |
2 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 33.33 |
|
Andrew Balbirnie |
c Pant b Arshdeep Singh |
5 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 50.00 |
|
Lorcan Tucker (wk) |
b Hardik Pandya |
10 | 13 | 2 | 0 | 76.92 |
|
Harry Tector |
c Kohli b Bumrah |
4 | 16 | 0 | 0 | 25.00 |
|
Curtis Campher |
c Pant b Hardik Pandya |
12 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 150.00 |
|
George Dockrell |
b Siraj |
3 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
60.00It was a day to forget for Ireland’s batters, but Gareth Delany’s spirited 26 provided a glimmer of hope. On the bowling front, Hardik Pandya’s three-wicket haul and Jasprit Bumrah’s economical spell were the highlights for India. For Ireland, Mark Adair tried his best, but the low total was always going to be tough to defend. |
Key Moments and Takeaways
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The Pitch Played a Big Role: The Nassau County pitch was a bowler’s paradise, with seam movement and variable bounce making life tough for batters. India’s decision to bowl first was spot-on, as their pacers exploited the conditions brilliantly.
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Rohit’s Injury Concern: While India won comfortably, Rohit Sharma’s injury raised some eyebrows. Thankfully, it was described as “just a little sore,” and he was expected to be fit for the next match against Pakistan.
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Pant’s Return to Form: Rishabh Pant’s unbeaten 36, capped by that audacious reverse scoop, was a reminder of his talent and fearless approach. His performance was a big positive for India.
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Ireland’s Fighting Spirit: Despite the loss, Ireland showed flashes of resilience, particularly through Gareth Delany’s cameo. They’ll look to bounce back in their next game against Canada.
Looking Ahead
This match set the tone for India’s T20 World Cup campaign, giving them a confidence boost as they prepared for a blockbuster clash against Pakistan on June 9 at the same venue. For Ireland, it was a tough outing, but their spirited performance in patches showed they could challenge stronger teams on their day. The T20 World Cup is all about momentum, and both teams will take valuable lessons from this encounter.
