On Friday, India’s Jasprit Bumrah played for the first time in nearly a year. In the first Twenty20 international, which was delayed by weather, in Dublin, the hosts defeated Ireland by two runs with the help of his two wickets.
India quickly reached 45 in six overs without losing a wicket in their attempt to attain their target of 140. When a prolonged downpour stopped play at Malahide, India was still barely ahead using the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method, despite Craig Young taking two wickets in the span of two balls.
Since Rohit Sharma was unable to participate in the three-game series, India’s 29-year-old captain Bumrah took the initiative and dismissed Andy Balbirnie and Lorcan Tucker in the first over.
A tiny inside edge struck Balbirnie’s stumps, and Tucker’s attempt to ramp just made it to wicketkeeper Sanju Samson. Bumrah, who when healthy is among the top pacemen in the world, took a promising 2-24 from his allotted four overs.
Ireland’s score after losing the toss was 59-6. For an India lineup that was primarily made up of backup players, Prasidh Krishna and Ravi Bishnoi each grabbed two wickets.
Ireland reached 139-7 thanks to Barry McCarthy’s audacious 51 not out in only 33 balls. The number eight made a total of four fours and four sixes after hitting four fours and as many sixes.
Yashasvi Jaiswal responded by hitting Josh Little for a massive six to end the power play.
That shot was the deciding blow after Young had eliminated Jaiswal (24) and Tilak Varma with his following two balls.
However, two balls later, it began to rain, forcing the players to abandon the field. India had 47-2 after 6.5 overs and was just ahead on DLS.
When the teams return to Malahide for the second T20 match on Sunday, India will now strive to take the series.