Arshdeep managed to claim only one wicket and conceded 35 runs in his four overs.
The left-arm pacer didn’t look in good rhythm in the series opener as he managed to claim only one wicket and conceded 35 runs in his four overs.
“Arshdeep got only one wicket. Personally, Arshdeep disappointed me a little. I felt he would wreak havoc on this pitch, but that did not happen and he got hit in the end as well. I am talking in the context. Arshdeep conceded 35 runs in four overs, so you shouldn't say he got hit too much,” said Chopra while speaking on his Youtube channel.
Coming to the match, India restricted the hosts to 139/7 after opting to bowl first. Leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi (2-23) and skipper Jasprit Bumrah (2-24) starred with the ball for the visitors as they bowled economical spells and also returned with two scalps each.
Aakash Chopra showered rich praise on Bishnoi, saying that the latter will have a long career in the shortest format.
“I like Ravi Bishnoi a lot. He bowls within the three stumps. He is playing in Ireland, the Irish won't play spin that well, and as soon as you play him across the line, he hits the ball on the pads or the stumps. He showed that by doing it not once but twice. He is a quality bowler, a wicket-taker, and I feel he will have a long career in T20s. If he is used well, he is an asset, without a shadow of doubt,” he added.
Chasing the target, the Men in Blue were 47/2 after 6.5 overs when rain forced the players to go out of the field. They never returned and India were declared winners by two runs via the DLS method.
The second T20I will be played at the same venue on Sunday (August 20).