Jasprit Bumrah's comeback to international cricket after an 11-month injury layoff has left the cricket world impressed, including the fast bowler's teammate Ravi Bishnoi, who said it was "fun to watch" India's premier pacer in full flow once again.
Leading India's young T20I squad in Ireland, Bumrah exhibited his prowess by securing two wickets in his very first over in the opening match of the series. This exceptional performance laid the foundation of India's victory.
1st T20I: AS IT HAPPENED
Bumrah's spell yielded impressive statistics of 2/24, accompanied by an astounding 16 dot balls across his four-over stint. As a result of his contribution, Ireland, who staged a recovery after being 59/6 at one stage, were restricted to a total of 139/7.
Bishnoi also made a key contribution with his spell of 2/23.
"It was his first match after nearly 11 months. First ball he bowled was on the legs but after that the five ball he bowled was so good to see. Everyone was waiting for this Bumrah and it was so good to see him back in his rhythm," Bishnoi said at the post-match press conference.
"The type of bowler he is, the whole world has seen his bowling. His first delivery didn't work out but the five balls after that was fun to watch. Everyone was waiting to see this Bumrah, and it was fun to watch him bowl," added Bishnoi, who also ended with excellent figures of 2/23.
India won the match by two runs via the Duckworth/Lewis method after rain intervened. The visitors were 47 for two in 6.5 overs when the heavens opened up.
"We were a bit unfortunate that the match was curtailed by the rain. Overall, we have played good cricket. We bowled really well and got a good start from our openers as well. If not for those wickets, we lost in the last over, we might have been in a very good condition," Bishnoi said.
"We won the toss and we got that advantage. If they would have won (toss) the advantage would have been with them. Toss always plays a crucial factor in such conditions. Today we were lucky," he added.
Regarding Ireland's defensive approach against him, the leg-spinner remarked, "It appears to be their chosen game strategy. However, I maintained an aggressive bowling style, consistently aiming to take additional wickets."
Bishnoi, a member of the Lucknow Supergiants in the Indian Premier League, also featured in the white-ball squad during the recently concluded tour of the West Indies.
"There is lot to learn. I was in West Indies for the five-match series, I played in one match and didn't play the rest four. But I was ready that whenever I will get a chance I will give my 100 per cent. I was ready for that opportunity."
Bishnoi also said that the role of leg-spinner in T20 cricket is not just limited to going for wickets.
"It depends upon the team situation. you can't go with your own theory, a lot depends upon what captain is saying, what the game situation is."
Pursuing a challenging target amidst overcast conditions, India initiated their innings smoothly, led by Yashasvi Jaiswal (24; 23 balls) and Ruturaj Gaikwad (19 not out), who combined to craft 46 runs in 6.2 overs.
1/10:How Jasprit Bumrah performed on comeback and India won
<p>Read more on TOI Sports</p>Agencies
2/10:'BOOM BOOM' BUMRAH
<p>Jasprit Bumrah ticked all the boxes on his much-anticipated return to lead India to a two-run win over Ireland by DLS Method in a rain-interrupted first T20I of the three-match series.<br /></p>ANI
3/10:COMEBACK MAN
<p>Leading the side on his return after an 11-month injury layoff, Bumrah claimed 2 for 24 with nine dot balls. <br /></p>Agencies
4/10:PACE BATTERIES
<p>Bumrah formed a formidable pair with T20I debutant Prasidh Krishna (2/32) to restrict Ireland to 139 for 7 after opting to bowl.<br /></p>Agencies
5/10:McCARTHY SHOW
<p>Things looked bleak for the hosts after they were down 59 for 6 in the 11th over but their No 8 Barry McCarthy produced an amazing recovery<br /></p>Agencies
6/10:SUPERB SHOW
<p>McCarthy blazed his way to a 33-ball 51 not out to lift their total to a respectable 139 for 7. He stitched a seventh wicket 57-run partnership with Curtis Campher (39) as Ireland reeled off 54 runs in the last five overs.<br /></p>Agencies
7/10:STAND OUT BATTER
<p>McCarthy was the stand out batter for the hosts as he reached his maiden half-century with a last-ball six off Arshdeep Singh who leaked 22 runs in the last over.<br /></p>Agencies
8/10:FLUENT START
<p>Chasing the tricky target under overcast conditions, India were off to a fluent start with Yashasvi Jaiswal (24 off 23 balls) and Ruturaj Gaikwad (19 not out) putting together 46 runs in 6.2 overs.<br /></p>Agencies
9/10:2 IN 2
<p>But Craig Young produced a double blow, taking the left-handed duo of Jaiswal and Tilak Varma who was out for a golden duck.<br /></p>Agencies
10/10:INDIA TAKE 1-0 LEAD
<p>There was no stopping rain as umpires decided to call off the game with India taking a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.<br /></p>AgenciesNevertheless, Craig Young inflicted a dual setback, dismissing both the left-handed pair of Jaiswal and Tilak Varma, the latter being dismissed for a golden duck.
However, India's vice-captain, Gaikwad, exhibited composure and navigated through the challenging phase, fully cognizant that they were maintaining a lead above the DLS par score.
Despite the rain persisting, the match officials took the decision to conclude the game at 6:15 pm local time, with India securing a 1-0 advantage in the three-match series.
(AI image)
