Hardik Pandya, the India team vice-captain, thanked the Indian diaspora for the support as they took on Ireland in their first group A game in T20 World Cup 2024. The match is being hosted at the Nassau County International Stadium, New York.
India captain Rohit Sharma won the toss and chose to bowl first on the bowler friendly pitch. India left out Kuldeep Yadav and instead decided to lengthen the batting by playing Akshar Patel.
Ireland was bowled out for 96 with Gareth Delaney top-scoring with 26 runs. Arshdeep Singh, with figures of 2/35 in 4 overs, Mohammed Siraj, who claimed 1/13 in 3 overs, Jasprit Bumrah, registering 2/6 in 3 overs, and Hardik Pandya starred with 3/27.
Hardik, who had a below-par IPL 2024, was quite pleased with his performance and stated that he has always been able to contribute in the World Cups.
"Always special to play for the country, always good to play for pride. I have been able to contribute in the World Cups, god has been kind. That was an outstanding effort by Axar, those are the catches when you let your hand-eye coordination let in," Hardik said at the mid-innings break.
Hardik also lauded the support of the Indian crowd in the USA and said that we Indians are everywhere.
"I really liked the first wicket, I don't hit the stumps often as I usually bowl short of a length. I needed to be fuller than back of a length today. On this kind of surface you need to be disciplined and hit the right areas. It's always fantastic to see the crowd, we Indians are everywhere, we rule the world, good to have their support," Hardik added.
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