All eyes were on Jasprit Bumrah as the India speedster made his long-awaited comeback after 11 months on Friday (August 18) against Ireland in the 1st T20I at Malahide.
Bumrah, who was named as the captain of a young Indian outfit for the series, began on the right note as he won the toss and decided to bowl first with an eye on the weather. Middle order batter Rinku Singh made his India debut, while pacer Prasidh Krishna, who was also making his comeback after an year, also received his first T20I cap.
Bumrah struck twice in his very first over as he dismissed Andrew Balbirnie and Lorcan Tucker. Krishna and Ravi Bishnoi gave no breathing space to Ireland, who were soon reeling at 59/6 in the 11th over. Curtis Campher (39) and Barry McCarthy (51*) batted superbly to help their side put up a fighting total of 139/7 on the board. Bumrah, Krishna and Bishnoi took 2 wickets each.
In reply, Yashasvi Jaiswal (24) and Ruturaj Gaikwad (19*) added 46 runs in 6.2 overs before the former was dismissed by Craig Young, who also sent back Tilak Varma for a first-ball duck. With India at 47/2 in 6.5 overs, the match seemed evenly poised but rain played spoilsport as no further play was possible and India were declared winners by two runs (DLS Method).
WATCH- Jasprit Bumrah returns with a bang; takes two wickets in 1st over on comeback
Bumrah was named the Player-of-the-Match award for his 2/24 in four overs, and also leading India to victory in his first T20I as captain. Incidentally he is the first bowler to lead India in the shortest format.
The speedster reflected on his impressive comeback during the post-match presentation ceremony, as he told the broadcasters that he didn't feel much nerves out in the middle.
“Felt very good, so many sessions I did at the NCA, didn't feel I missed out a lot or was doing something new. Credit to the staff, they kept me in good spirits. You are not thinking about yourself, you are thinking about others out there. Not really nervous but very happy,”
“There was some swing upfront so we wanted to use it. Luckily we won the toss and it was coming out fine. There was some help due to the weather, so very happy. In every game, you would want more. They played well, after a crisis, they played well. credit where it is due. Even when you win, there are areas to improve on,” he added.
Lauding his young side, Bumrah said, “Everybody is very confident, they are very well prepared. I think the IPL also helps. It is always good, wherever we go, they support us, that helps us to keep the spirit high.”
