Rohit Sharma brought joy to Indian fans with reassuring words about his elbow, describing it as “just a little sore” after India’s convincing eight-wicket victory over Ireland in their opening match of the T20 World Cup at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium. Sharma, the Indian skipper, had to leave the field temporarily due to discomfort caused by a blow he received earlier in his innings after scoring a brisk 52 off 37 balls.
India made light work of the modest 97-run target set by Ireland, achieving victory with a commanding lead of eight wickets and 46 balls remaining. Following the lopsided win, Rohit took part in the post-match presentation ceremony, gracefully handling the microphone offered by South African cricket legend Shaun Pollock, whose own mic had malfunctioned—a gesture that didn’t go unnoticed by many fans.
Reflecting on the match, the 37-year-old captain noted that the pitch didn’t ease up even during India’s innings.
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“We weren’t quite sure what to expect from the pitch. It’s a challenge playing on a surface that’s been around for five months. Even when we batted second, the pitch didn’t seem to settle down,” remarked Rohit Sharma.
— Nihari Korma (@NihariVsKorma) June 6, 2024
India’s decision to field two spin-bowling all-rounders, Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel, against Ireland, leaving out specialist spinners Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav, raised eyebrows among fans and experts alike. Rohit, however, defended the choice, emphasizing the importance of balance and hinting at the role spinners might play in the later stages of the tournament.
“When selecting the team, we prioritized balance. Spin will definitely come into play as the tournament progresses,” Rohit Sharma reiterated.
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The gamble paid off handsomely for India as Hardik Pandya spearheaded the bowling attack with a three-wicket haul, supported by Arshdeep Singh and Jasprit Bumrah, who claimed two wickets each. Mohammed Siraj and Axar Patel also chipped in with a wicket each, while Gareth Delany fell victim to a combined effort from Siraj and Rishabh Pant.
With the momentum from their impressive victory, India now gears up for a highly anticipated clash against arch-rivals Pakistan on Sunday, June 9, once again at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium.
