The Rohit Sharma-led Indian cricket team kickstarted their campaign in the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2024 with a blockbuster note by defeating Ireland in their campaign opener at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York on Wednesday, June 5.
The Indian cricket team gave an all-around performance and won the game against Ireland by 8 wickets. Riding on captain Rohit Sharma’s half-century, the Indian team successfully chased down the small target of 97 runs with 46 balls remaining.
Rohit Sharma Gave A Big Update About His Injury
Coming out to open the innings for India with batting superstar Virat Kohli, captain Rohit played a quick-fire knock in the curtain-raise of the Asian giants.
While in-form Kohli recorded a rare batting failure in the ICC event, Rohit played a captain’s knock as he notched up his first half-century of the T20 World Cup 2024 in New York. However, Rohit’s stellar knock ended abruptly when the Indian captain retired hurt in the 10th over of the innings.
Rohit Sharma was hit on the arm in the eighth over bowled by Ireland’s Joshua Little. Ireland opted for a review, but since Rohit was struck on the arm and Ultra Edge also confirmed no spike on the bat, Rohit was adjudged not out by the third umpire.
Following this incident, Rohit smashed two sixes off Little in the same over to move to 42 off 33 balls. He completed his fifty in Mark Adair’s over to help India post 76-1 in 10 overs. However, after the drinks break, Rohit Sharma was seen leaving the pitch with the team’s physio.
Rohit returned to the dugout after smashing 52 runs off 37 balls as he felt discomfort in his shoulder. The fans can take a sigh of relief as the injury was not serious. Rohit himself gave a big update about his injury after the game. He revealed:
“Yeah, just a little sore (the arm).”
Later, during India’s innings, Rishabh Pant also suffered a blow on his elbow on the first ball of the 11th over. That delivery was also bowled by Josh Little. However, Pant continued his innings after receiving some treatment from the physio and finished the game on a high with a six.
Rohit Sharma Was Not Happy With The Pitch Conditions
Notably, the pitch of Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, where the IND vs IRE match was played in New York, has been receiving a lot of criticism for its vicious bounce while the extremely slow outfield was also at the receiving end of the criticism. He said:
“I said it at the toss as well. Quite unsure of what to expect from the pitch. Not aware on what it is to play like on a pitch that’s five months old. I don’t think the wicket settled down even when we batted second. There was enough for the bowlers.”
He added: “There was enough for the bowlers. That’s pretty much what you gotta do. Try to hit those lengths consistently. All these guys have played a lot of Test cricket. Arshdeep is the only guy who hasn’t. His two wickets upfront set the tone for us.”
The Indian cricket team will now take on Pakistan in their next match on June 9th at the same venue.
