India vs Ireland, Border-Gavaskar Trophy, 2024/25 Full score card

SIX! OUTRAGEOUS FROM RISHABH PANT! A contender for the shot of the tournament! This has taken us back to Pant's audacious reverse lap against James Anderson during the Ahmedabad Test in 2021. Barry McCarthy bowls it on a length, on off, Rishabh Pant premeditates and brings out the reverse lap. Executes it to perfection as he gets it over the keeper and clears the fence with ease. Barry McCarthy is left bewildered. India win by 8 wickets!

Hits the deck hard, on off, Rishabh Pant looks to stab it down the deck. The ball takes off the deck and hits Pant on the left forearm. Pant has copped a lot of blows during his stay at the crease.

Pushes it through, flatter and shorter, on off, Shivam Dube gets on the back foot and chops it to backward point.

Turning into the right-hander, full and it is tempting for the batter to play the big shot. Shivam Dube calmly whips it to mid-wicket.

Shivam Dube has come out to the middle now.

OUT! IN THE AIR AND TAKEN! Suryakumar Yadav tries to finish it with a maximum but holes out! Ben White offers flight nicely and keeps it full, on off, and middle, Suryakumar Yadav crouches to get underneath it and tries to get it over deep mid-wicket. Gets more height than the distance and skies it very high in the air towards deep mid-wicket where George Dockrell runs in off the ropes and takes a well-judged catch looking into the sun.

Loops it right up to the batter, on off, Rishabh Pant uses his feet and drills it down to long off for one.

FOUR! Cracked away! Dishes out the googly, full and on off, Rishabh Pant picks it early and makes room before smashing it over cover for a boundary.

Starts off on a nagging length, angling in, on middle and leg, Suryakumar Yadav goes on the back foot and turns it in front of square on the leg side for a single.

Ben White is now into the attack.

Hard length, angling away from outside off. Suryakumar Yadav dabs it away through to the left of deep third for a single.

Good-length delivery pitched outside off. Suryakumar Yadav shuffles across and swings using his wrists but misses.

Good length, nipping in from outside off. Rishabh Pant gets in an awkward position again, getting an inside edge to the leg side. One taken.

SIX! Thank You says Pant! Short in length, and around off, sets up nicely for the batter. Rishabh Pant reads the length well and readies himself for a pull shot creating a strong base before hoisting it over deep square leg for a biggie.

Angles it closer to the body on the middle, Rishabh Pant is taken off-guard and but manages to punch it to the leg side.

WIDE! Sprays it down the leg side on a fuller length, Rishabh Pant goes for a no-look flick shot behind square but misses. Wide given.

Halt! The physio is out to attend to Rishabh Pant. The treatment is complete and Pant looks fine to resume.

Oh, no! Rishabh Pant has copped it on the elbow! Angling in, on a length, on middle and leg, Rishabh Pant looks to scoop it away behind square on the leg side. The ball shoots off the deck and hits him on the left elbow.

Rohit Sharma is walking back to the dugout as he looks in discomfort after getting struck on the shoulder earlier. Suryakumar Yadav is in now.

Drinks! The game is well under the control of India as they just need 21 off 60 deliveries. The required run rate was never a worry for India coming into the chase at all. Despite losing Virat Kohli very early, Rohit Sharma and Rishabh Pant have notched a brilliant partnership and are playing risk-free cricket, also negotiating the uncertainty of the pitch well. The Indian skipper has notched up the 50 and has also breached past 4000 runs in T20Is.

In the air....but it lands safely! Adair bangs it on a shortish length, on off, Rohit Sharma tries to take on the short ball and goes for the pull. Skies it high in the air but it drops in no man's land near the deep mid-wicket region. A couple of more runs taken.

FOUR! A gift for Rohit Sharma to get to his FIFTY and the Indian skipper obliges! It has not been the most convincing knocks but Rohit will take it, considering he did not have a great run in the Indian T20 League. Mark Adair misses his mark and serves up a juicy full toss, on middle, Rohit Sharma waits on it and smacks it through the vacant mid-wicket region for a boundary.

Goes full and straight from over the wicket, on middle, Rohit Sharma shimmies across a bit and clips it through mid-wicket for two runs more.

Aerial but safe! Length delivery, on off, Rohit Sharma stays deep in his crease and lofts it over mid off. Does not get hold of it it but it is enough to clear the back-tracking fielder for a couple of runs.

Slower and fuller, attacking the stumps, Rishabh Pant swings through the line to drill it back past the bowler. Mistimes the shot to the right of long on for a single.

Much better from Adair as this is on a shortish length, over off and middle, Rishabh Pant thinks about playing the upper-cut but decides against it and lets it go.

WIDE! Adair comes in from around the wicket and rolls his fingers over the ball but gets the line wrong. Slips it down leg for a wide.

At pace, on a hard length, on off, Rohit Sharma gets on his toes and stabs it down safely on the off side.

Good comeback! Takes pace off and it is much fuller as well, outside the leg-stump line, Rohit Sharma backs away to go across the line but gets undone by the lack of pace.

SIX! Much finer but the result is the same! Back-to-back maximums for the Indian skipper! Short again but it is on a tighter line, at the batter, Rohit Sharma swivels in his crease and pulls it flat but over fine leg for six more runs.

SIX! BOOM! Rohit Sharma connects this one alright! Joshua Little delivers it on a shortish length, right where Rohit needs it, around off. Rohit Sharma is waiting for it on the back foot and nails the pull over deep square leg for a maximum.

Oh, that took off and it has been taken at point! It looks to have come off the shoulder of Rohit Sharma but Paul Stirling has taken the review. Angling away from over the wicket, on a hard length, just outside off, Rohit Sharma walks across to the off side and tries to scoop it behind square on the leg side. The ball comes off his left shoulder and lobs to point. The UltraEdge confirms that it was just the shoulder and nothing else.

Serves it on a hard length, on off, Rohit Sharma plays it close to his body and dabs it square to point.

Into the wicket, around off, Rishabh Pant flat bats it without much timing to mid off.

FOUR! Not quite off the middle of the bat but Rishabh Pant will take it! Lands it on a back of a length, outside off, Rishabh Pant frees his arms and slaps it back over the bowler's head for a boundary.

Goes straight up but luckily for Pant, it lands in no man's land! This is on a back of a length, angled across, on off, Rishabh Pant crouches and tries to swipe it across the line. Gets it off the upper half of the bat but it lands safely near the fine leg fence. Two runs taken.

Too straight from McCarthy, on a shortish length, around leg, Rohit Sharma rides the bounce and plays a controlled pull shot to fine leg for one.

Bangs it into the deck, outside off, Rishabh Pant drags the pull from outside off. Does not quite get the timing right and has ot settle for a single as the ball rolls to deep mid-wicket.

Strays on the pads, on a back of a length, Rohit Sharma hops back to work it away square on the leg side. Gets an inside edge onto the pads and the bal dies down on the leg side. They cross.

Barry McCarthy (1-0-3-0) is back into the attack.

A hint of width by Campher on off, Rishabh Pant frees his arms and cuts it over backward point where Joshua Little runs and slides to his left to cut it off. Two runs taken.

Much closer to the off-stump line, on a back of a length, Rishabh Pant tries to get on top of the bounce but the ball goes away with the angle and whizzes past his bat.

At the hips, on a hard length, Rohit Sharma waits back in his crease and glances it down to fine leg for a single.

Angling in, on a good length, around leg, Rohit Sharma stays leg side of the ball and skips down the track to have a hoick across the line. The ball nips away slightly after pitching and gets beaten all ends up.

There's that extra bounce! Hits the deck hard and bowls it in the channel on off, Rohit Sharma gets half-forward as he tries to cover the line of the ball. It rears off the deck and zips past the bat.

Starts with a full delivery from over the wicket, outside off, Rishabh Pant wrists it along the ground to wide long on for one.

Curtis Campher replaces Mark Adair.

Beaten! This is on a back of a length, angling across, on off, Rohit Sharma pokes at the delivery as he gets on his toes and gets beaten on the outside edge. At the end of the Powerplay, India are 39/1.

FOUR! Beautifully played! Offers width this time does Little and goes full as well, Rohit Sharma leans on it and carves it up and over cover-point for a boundary. Rohit brings up 4000 runs in T20I cricket.

Sliding onto the pads, on a length, Rishabh Pant lets the ball come to him and turns it through square leg. Pant is keen for the second but the fielder in the deep is quick to get to the ball and keeps it down to one.

Fuller again and slanting away, around off, Rohit Sharma leans on it to go up and over on the off side. The bat turns in his hand and Rohit miscues it to mid-wicket for one.

Angles it across the right-hander, just inside the tramline on off, on a good length, Rohit Sharma lets it go.

Pitches it right up from over the wicket, angling away, around off, Rohit Sharma crouches and looks to go back over the bowler's head with a straight bat but gets beaten on the angle.

Swing and a miss! Around the stumps, on a hard length outside off, Rishabh Pant swings hard to get it over the covers but only manages to meet thin air.

WIDE! Angling down leg, on a fuller length, Rishabh Pant looks to hoist it over short fine but misses. WIde given.

Stays over the wicket, pitches it outside off, and full in length, Rishabh Pant goes for a biggie but mishits it off the inside half towards mid-wicket.

Aims the off stump, on a good length, Rishabh Pant watches it closely and cuts it straight to point off the back foot.

Over the wicket now to Rohit, bowls straight and full, on off, Rohit Sharma defends it with soft hands on the front foot and the ball takes off the thickish outside edge to deep third for another single.

Around the wicket, angling on the middle and leg, full in length, Rishabh Pant pushes it to mid on and robs a quick single.

Attacks the off stump, shaping away a bit on a length, Rohit Sharma plays it inside the line and the ball takes the outside edge towards deep third for a single.

Bangs it on a length, outside off, Rishabh Pant goes for a wild hoick over the leg side but misses.

That could've been curtains for Rohit! Short in length, on the top of off, Rohit Sharma pulls it aerially a bit straight towards mid on who picks it up on a bounce. Rohit Sharma sets off to fetch a quick single and is nowhere in the frame as Mark Adair has a shy at the non-striker's end.

Oh, this one takes off from the surface. Good length, with an extra bit of bounce, just outside off, Rohit Sharma is taken by surprise and negotiates the bounce well, knocking it to the off side.

Full and on the fourth stump line, Rishabh Pant gets in line of the ball on the front foot and drives it through covers for a single.

Nips back into the batter from outside off on a length, Rohit Sharma plays it closer to the body, and arches slightly, and cuts it towards deep backward point for a single.

Good length, shaping away a shade from outside off, Rohit Sharma watches it closely and is happy to let it go alone.

Barry McCarthy comes into the attack as the first change.

FOUR! WHAT A CRACKING SHOT! Lands this one right underneath the bat, a friendly half-volley to be precise, on off, Rishabh Pant picks the bones out of it and spanks it down the ground over the non-striker's head for a cracking boundary to end the over.

Around the wicket, a yorker on off, Rishabh Pant alertly jams the bat in time.

Rishabh Pant comes in at number 3.

OUT! TAKEN! Virat Kohli departs trying to find the aggressive route and India lose the first wicket! Mark Adair lands this one on a good length, nipping away with the angle outside off, Virat Kohli again gets the dancing shoes on and charges ahead for an expansive drive through the covers but the ball climbs a bit more on the bounce and takes the thickish outside edge of the bat before flying into the safe hands of Ben White stationed at deep third who doesn't have to move an inch.

Peach! Bowls it on the length, just on the top of off, Virat Kohli looks to defend but gets beaten on the inside edge.

Full and on off, Virat Kohli plants his front foot in line and knocks it solidly towards mid off.

Swing and a miss! Pitches it on off, and on a good length, it nips away dramatically. Virat Kohli charges down the ground aggressively to play an expansive cover drive and gets beaten on the outside edge.

SIX! This time he connects and connects well! A friendly knee-length full toss, tailing back in on the pads, Rohit Sharma gets underneath it and flatly slaps it downtown for a biggie.

FOUR! Fortunate enough there! Joshua Little slants a yorker outside off, Rohit Sharma bends low to squeeze it through point but inside edges just past the stumps for a boundary at deep fine leg.

WIDE! Struggling with his mark at the moment! Swings it away from leg side, on the fuller length, Rohit Sharma swings across and misses. Wided again.

Nice and full, on the stumps, Rohit Sharma jams his bat and plays it off the inside half of the bat, and onto the boots. The ball deflects to the off side.

Swings it onto the pads, on a length, Rohit Sharma misses his flick and the ball brushes off the front thigh pad to the left of the keeper.

Fuller in length, angling into the batter from middle, Rohit Sharma flicks it nicely towards deep backward square leg for a couple of more runs.

WIDE! Sprays it down the leg stump line. Rohit misses to flick and the umpire gives a Wide.

Length ball, outside off, Virat Kohli shuffles across off, gets in line of the ball and drives it through point for a single and gets off the mark.

It will be the left-arm seamer, Joshua Little to operate from the other end.

DROPPED AND FOUR! Ireland just cannot afford these errors in the field! Holds onto the hard length, outside off, again, nipping away with the angle, Rohit Sharma goes for an expansive drive towards the off side but gets a thickish outside edge that goes straight towards the second slip where the fielder makes a meal out of it and the ball bursts through his hands over his head before running to the fence.

Short in length, and outside off, nips a shade away as well. Rohit Sharma chops it over the leg stump to short fine.

Bowls it full and on the stumps, Rohit Sharma flicks it with his wrists and works it along the carpet towards deep mid-wicket for a couple to get off the mark.

Wild movement! Pitches it on the middle, and jags back in off the surface, on a length, Rohit Sharma comes forward and gets beaten on the shot as it sneaks past the inside edge.

Fuller this time, and closer to the body in front of the stumps. Rohit Sharma presents the full face of the bat and knocks it back to the bowler.

Short in length, outside off, Rohit Sharma climbs on the bounce and cuts it straight to point.

WIDE! Movement straight away. On the back of a length, outside off, it nips away sharply after pitching and goes beyond the guideline, Rohit Sharma goes for an on the up cut shot but misses. Wided.

OUT! RUN OUT! And that's curtains for Ireland's innings and India manage to restrict them below triple figures. Arshdeep Singh bowls fuller in length, on the off stump line, Ben White aerially squeezes it through backward point. Gareth Delany looks for the second run but White sends him back. Mohammed Siraj in the deep sprints to his left and is quick to pick the ball up and throw it to the keeper's end. Rishabh Pant runs forward and collects the ball well before flashing the bails off. Gareth Delany and Ben White both are stranded at the bowler's end. Delany wanted that second run to have the strike in the next over but it turned out to be a horrible mix-up.

Gareth Delany will be hoping to take Ireland past 100 here.

NO BALL! Oh, no! Arshdeep Singh has bowled the third bouncer of the over and it has been called a NO BALL! Digs it in short, over middle from over the wicket, Ben White ducks and lets it go. Free Hit coming up.

Takes the pace off from the ball, and lands it short in length, around leg, Gareth Delany looks to punch it but gets an inside edge onto his back leg and just misses the stumps by a few inches by a whisker and rolls in front of backward point. A single taken.

FOUR! Lucky escape there! Short and outside off, angling away, Gareth Delany backs away and clears his front leg, goes back and swings hard to go down the ground but gets a thickish outside edge over the keeper and beats the chasing third man fielder for a boundary.

SIX! BANG! He connects and connects to perfection! Short in length, angling on the leg stump line, Gareth Delany clubs it nicely with the middle of the willow and pulls it over the longer side of the boundary over deep mid-wicket for a cracking six.

Oh that could've been curtains for Irish innings but Jadeja shells a catch! Arshdeep Singh bowls a slower bumper over the head of the batter, Gareth Delany waits and climbs on the bounce but doesn't get the requisite timing on it. The ball spoons up in the air behind short third where Ravindra Jadeja overruns and drops it eventually. Two runs taken and Rohit Sharma is absolutely livid with that effort.

FOUR! That's nicely played down the ground! Arshdeep Singh lands it short and angles on the top of the middle, Gareth Delany moves leg side of the ball and flat-bats it over mid off for a boundary.

Arshdeep Singh (3-0-18-2) has been brought back into the attack.

Full and on leg, Ben White hits it to point to end the over.

Knee-length full toss on leg, Gareth Delany hits it towards long on for a single.

Full this time, straight on the middle and leg corridor, Gareth Delany backs away and slaps it hard through the leg side. White looks for a single but Gareth Delany wants to retain the strike as much as possible now. No run.

Good length, outside off, Ben White pushes it to deep backward point for a single.

Ben White is the last man in for Ireland.

OUT! BULL'S EYE! That's Jasprit Bumrah at his very best! Fires a pin-point yorker on the middle stumps, Joshua Little moves leg side of the ball to squeeze it out to the off side but fails to bring the bat down in time. The ball breaks into the stumps in the blink of an eye. Ireland 9 down now and India would look to restrict them below three figures.

FOUR LEG BYES! Ireland will take whatever they get now! Jasprit Bumrah cannons it on the back of a length, on the leg stump line, Joshua Little moves to the leg side of the ball and tries to nudge but it thuds his thigh pad and bullets away straight behind the keeper, and also misses Pant's helmet before racing away to the fence.

Drops it full and in front of the stumps, Joshua Little scoops it fine and takes a single by the time the short fine fielder chases the ball in the deep.

Drags his length a bit this time, on the leg stump line, Gareth Delany backs away and hits it to deep point for a single.

Full and on middle, Joshua Little leans ahead, and steers it towards square leg for a quick single.

Short and on middle, Joshua Little defends it to the off side.

FOUR! Nice important cameo from Little here. Full this time in length, on the stumps, Joshua Little reads it well and employs the switch hit, and gets it well through backward point for a boundary.

Over the wicket, pitched on off and short, Joshua Little rocks back and punches it straight at covers.

Angles it on the middle from off, on a hard length, Joshua Little flatly pulls it towards the gap between mid on and mid-wicket and retains the strike with a single.

Bowls it on a tight line, on a shortish length, Joshua Little moves leg side of the ball and backs off from the line of the ball. Rishabh Pant collects it behind the wickets.

Bangs it hard on the pitch, outside off, Joshua Little flat-bats it through the right of mid off. Rohit Sharma chases the ball to the deep before the fence and restricts it to a couple of runs.

FOUR! Crunched down the ground! Good length, on off, Joshua Little clears his front leg and makes room, and smashes it through the left of the non-striker, down the ground for a boundary.

Back of a length outside off, Gareth Delany pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

SIX! Much-needed for Ireland! Hardik Pandya lands this one on a good length, around the top of off, Gareth Delany clears his front leg and connects his pull shot to perfection off the middle of the bat. The ball sails over deep square leg for half a dozen.

Pulls his length a bit, outside off, Joshua Little dabs it late to short third.

Quicker with the arm on the middle, Gareth Delany punches it off the back foot towards deep backward point for a single.

Now this one stays dramatically low on the bounce! And wait, the umpire has gone upstairs for a stumping check. Axar bowls it outside off, on a dragged length, Gareth Delany sits down for a sweep but misses out on the connection. Rishabh Pant cleanly collects it behind the wickets and flashes off the bails in time. The side-on replay shows that Delany's back foot is well inside the popping crease. Not Out then.

Lands this one on the stumps, full in length, Joshua Little reverse sweeps it through point for a single and gets off the mark.

Joshua Little walks out at number 10.

OUT! WHAT A GRAB! Excellent athleticism by Axar Patel! Ireland slip further. Axar bowls it slower through the air and bowls it on a short length, on middle and leg, Barry McCarthy hangs back in his crease and looks to punch it down the ground. The ball stops in the surface, resulting in McCarthy going through his shot early. Chips the ball towards the non-striker. Axar reacts quickly in his follow through and dives to his non-dominant right side. The ball does not pop out even as his elbow hits the ground.

At 91.5 kph, angling in, on a nagging length, on the pads, Gareth Delany tucks it through backward square leg for a single.

Time for some spin now. Axar Patel replaces Mohammed Siraj.

Swing and a miss! Hardik bowls it on a hard length, over middle, Barry McCarthy gives the bowler the charge and looks to go back over the bowler's head. The ball nips away off the deck and just about carries to Rishabh Pant behind the wicket.

Delivers a sharp and quick bumper that zips through, on off and middle, Barry McCarthy swings for the pull but gets beaten for pace and bounce as the ball zips past the bat.

Serves it on a back of a length, angling in, on middle, Barry McCarthy swivels for the pull but the ball skids through and hits him near the waist.

A bit fuller and honing in at the stumps, Barry McCarthy covers the line of the ball and blocks it out in front of cover.

Barry McCarthy keeps it out safely. Hits the hard length, on off and middle, Barry McCarthy hangs back and defends it down the deck.

Barry McCarthy is the new man in. Will he and Delany bail Ireland out of this deep trouble? Let's find out.

OUT! IN THE AIR AND GONE! Another one bites the dust! Ireland are going down in a flash here. Hardik bends his back and digs it in short, outside off, Mark Adair sees the width on offer and tries to pounce on it. Backs away and looks to slap it away on the off side. The ball comes onto the bat slower than Adair anticipated and skies it off the toe-end of the bat towards deep point. Shivam Dube runs in off the ropes and takes the simplest of catches. Having taken a wicket off the final ball off his last over, Hardik is on a hat-trick now.

Drinks break! India have absolutely bossed this game so far and have Ireland in dire straits. Rohit Sharma has persisted with pacers and will look to stick to them to wrap up the innings quickly. To be fair to Ireland, India have been relentess and the Irish found it extremely hard to adapt to the bounce and seam movement off the deck. The bowlers haven't just provided any breathing space to the opposition batters. None of the Irish batters has looked comfortable and fairly, the pitch is not the easiest of the tracks to bat on. With 6 down under 50, Ireland will look to stitch a good partnership from here on and bat till the end. While India will look to wrap things up as quickly as possible.

Bangs away on a hard length, on off and middle, Gareth Delany gets on his toes and rides the bounce well to stab it down on the off side.

Siraj pitches it up to the batter, angling in, on middle and leg, Mark Adair backs away and exposes all his stumps. Hacks it off the inner half of the bat to the right of mid on. The ball holds up in the outfield and the batters run three.

Mark Adair is in at number 8.

OUT! TAKEN! Ireland is falling like a house of cards now. Siraj bowls short and attacks the stumps, George Dockrell attempts to pull this one over the leg side but the ball gets heavy on him on the bounce, and as a result, he fails to generate the requisite power and also top edges it towards mid on. Jasprit Bumrah stationed at mid on gets underneath the ball and grabs it safely.

Oh, that could've been close as well! Back of a length, on the stumps, George Dockrell makes room by clearing his front leg and spanks it straight to Rohit Sharma again at mid off and quickly sets off for a single. He is half way down but gets a send back from his partner and retreats back to the striker's end. Rohit Sharma has a shy at the striker's end.

In the air and dropped. A tough chance though! Fuller in length and outside off, George Dockrell is way too early on the shot and aerially drives it towards mid off where Rohit Sharma moves to his right, leaps in the air and even gets his hands at it but the ball evades in the end and goes to the deep. Two taken.

Hard length, on the stumps, George Dockrell defends it back to the bowler.

Gareth Delany makes his way out to the centre. A change in bowling as Mohammed Siraj (2-0-8-0) returns to the attack.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Hardik gets his second wicket and half of the Irish side is back to the dugout now. Bowls a conventional good-length delivery just in the corridor of uncertainty on the fourth stump line, inviting the batter to poke at it. Curtis Campher does prod ahead to defend it to the off-side but he plays it inside the line, and the ball takes the faintest of the nicks and Rishabh Pant does the rest with a regulation catch behind the wicket.

On a length, around off at 133 kph, Curtis Campher is early on the shot, and fends it uppishly and the ball just falls short ahead of Virat Kohli at short cover who dives ahead.

Back of a length, on the stumps, Curtis Campher defends it this time.

Full and angling onto the pads, George Dockrell clips it to deep backward square leg for a single.

Good length around off, Curtis Campher again opts for a lofted shot but gets a thickish outside edge this time towards third man for a single.

SIX! Shot! Full and right into the arc on the stumps, Curtis Campher lifts it nicely over mid on for a maximum.

George Dockrell walks out to the middle.

OUT! TAKEN! Oh dear, this is getting troublesome for Ireland now! The dangerous Harry Tector too walks back to the sheds now. Jasprit Bumrah bends his back, hits the short length, on off, Harry Tector swivels for a pull shot but the ball gets a bit more bounce off the deck, and brushes off the right glove before hammering into the helmet. The ball then lobs in the air in front of covers where Virat Kohli runs forward and takes a simple catch to remove Harry Tector.

Bowls it on a tight line on a length, around off, Harry Tector gets a thickish inside edge towards deep backward square leg for a brace.

Short in length this time, at 142 kph outside off, climbs further on the bounce, Harry Tector goes for a pull shot but misses.

Hits the deck hard again, on off, Curtis Campher skips down the track and stays leg side of the ball to get the desired width, drives it through covers for a quick single.

Hard length, around off, Curtis Campher gets on the up and drives it straight to point where Ravindra Jadeja is alert and makes a good stop.

Back of a length, on the top of the middle, Harry Tector knocks it in front of mid on for a quick single.

FOUR! Gets off the mark in style! Hurls it full and on the pads, Curtis Campher flicks it nicely through backward square leg for a boundary.

Curtis Campher is in at number 5.

OUT! BOWLED'EM! Hardik strikes now and Ireland are in a deep trouble with three men down now! Pitches this one up and on the off stump line, seams back into the batter sharply, Lorcan Tucker gets ahead to drive it down the ground but gets beaten all ends up as the ball evades his defence through the gap between the bat and the pad before disrupting the furniture.

On a hard length on the stumps, Harry Tector is beaten on the defence and wears it on the back thigh and steals a leg bye as the ball rolls to the off side.

Back of a length, on off, Harry Tector stands tall and defends it on the off side.

Total miscommunication there by the two Irish batters! That could've been close if Jadeja had managed to hit the stumps. Hardik Pandya pulls his length a bit and varies the pace as well on off, Lorcan Tucker climbs on the bounce and punches it to the left of backward point where Ravindra Jadeja dives to his left and makes a brilliant stop. Lorcan Tucker tries to fetch a quick single is off for a run and gets home in time. Jadeja rocket-throws but has a shy at the non-striker's end.

Hardik bowls full, attacking the off-pole, Lorcan Tucker plants his front leg ahead and knocks it straight to Rohit Sharma at cover.

Change from both ends as Hardik Pandya comes into the attack.

Back of a length, at the stumps and angling on the pads, Harry Tector gets beaten on the back foot punch and the ball thuds his thigh pad and rolls to the off side. Jasprit Bumrah begins right on the money in his first over. End of the mandatory Powerplay and Ireland is crawling at 26/2.

The ball is just flirting past the outside edge at the moment! Steams in from over the wicket, pitches it on a good length, and gets it to nip a shade away, Harry Tector plays inside the line of the ball for a front foot defence and the ball whispers his outside edge before carrying to the keeper.

Short and angling on off, Harry Tector covers his off stump, gets in line of the ball and knocks it solidly down the pitch.

Outside off on a hard length, Harry Tector cuts it off the back foot to backward point.

Fuller in length and outside off, Harry Tector drives it on the up to cover.

On the money straight on! Over the wicket, on a fuller length, tailing in sharply around off, Harry Tector plays outside the line and the ball sneaks through the gap between the bat and the ball, through to the keeper. Excellent delivery!

Jasprit Bumrah is now into the attack.

FOUR! Width offered and Lorcan Tucker cashes in! Angling away, on a back of a length, wide on off. Lorcan Tucker gets on his toes, frees his arms and slaps it through covers for a boundary. 13 runs and a wicket off the over.

Beauty! Gets the line right this time, in the channel on off, on a length, Lorcan Tucker keeps his out hanging as he looks to cover the line of the ball but it nips away to beat the bat.

WIDE! Arshdeep Singh's radar continues to be up and down. Way too outside off, Lorcan Tucker throws his hands at it but it is way out of his reach.

Nearly sneaked through! Shaping back in nicely, on a good length, on middle, Harry Tector tries to play it with a straight bat. Gets an inside edge that rolls down to deep backward square leg for one.

WIDE! Swinging back into the right-hander but gets the radar wrong. Full and down leg, Harry Tector is happy to leave the ball alone.

Ouch, Tector cops a blow on the glove! Arshdeep hurls it on a hard length, on off, Harry Tector looks to ride the bounce and keep it out down the deck. The ball rears on him and hits him flush on the glove.

WIDE! Arshdeep misses his mark again as this is bowled way outside off, fuller in length, left alone by Harry Tector. It bounces awkwardly on its way to the keeper but Rishabh Pant does well to make the stop to his right.

Pitches it up and lets it go across the batter, on off, Harry Tector shoulders arms.

FIVE WIDES! Arshdeep Singh tries a bit too hard and gets it horribly wrong! Errs in line as this is way down leg, on a back of a length, Harry Tector lets it go and Rishabh Pant fails to cut it off despite the dive to his left.

Wow, that reared off! Hits the deck hard and it is around off, Harry Tector tries to stab it down the deck. The ball shoots off the deck and raps him on the gloves but does not lob anywhere close to the fielder at backward point.

Oh, that could have deflected onto the stumps! Honing in around the pads, on a length, Lorcan Tucker misses the flick shot and gets beaten on the inside edge. The ball comes off the pads and dribbles towards the first slip.

Siraj switches his line and troubles the batter, yet again. Drags his length back and gets the ball to shape away, in the channel on off, Lorcan Tucker fiddles at the delivery but to no avail.

FOUR! Innovative and effective! This is around middle and leg, on a short of a good length, Lorcan Tucker walks across to the off side early and plays the scoop towards the fine leg fence for his first boundary.

Tailing back in sharply, on a hard length, on middle and leg, Lorcan Tucker fails to keep it out and gets hit on the thigh pad.

Bowls it from wide of the crease, slanting in around off, on a length, Lorcan Tucker has a prod at it but gets beaten on the outside edge, yet again.

Time for Siraj to go past the bat now. Angles it into the right-hander, on a good length, on off, Lorcan Tucker tries to cover the line of the ball but it nips away and beats the outside edge.

Harry Tector walks out at number 4.

OUT! CLEANED HIM UP! Arshdeep Singh works out Andy Balbirnie perfectly! Balbirnie never looked comfortable in this over and both Irish openers are back in the hut early. Attacks the stumps does Arshdeep, on a good length, on off and middle, Andy Balbirnie opts to stay leg side of the ball and tries to open the bat face to get it past short third inside the ring but is caught off-guard. Exposes his off and middle pole and he pays the ultimate price. The ball whizzes past the bat to shatter the furniture.

Nipping back in, on a back of a length, Andy Balbirnie gets cramped up for room as he looks to access the off side and inside edges it beside the pitch on the leg side.

WIDE! Bangs it on a shortish length, over the middle. Andy Balbirnie tries to fetch the pull but it sails over the batter's head for a wide.

Arshdeep Singh continues to beat the bat. Andy Balbirnie is playing for the ball shaping back into him but Arshdeep mixes it up nicely and gets it to go the other way, on a good length, just outside off, Balbirnie pokes at the delivery and he is lucky not to nick this one behind.

With two slips in place, Arshdeep serves it on a hard length, in the corridor of off, Lorcan Tucker plays it close to his body and steers it down to deep third for a single to get off the mark.

Play and a miss! Gets the ball to angle away from over the wicket, on a length, Lorcan Tucker goes for an expansive drive but gets beaten by the angle as the ball zips past the bat.

Lorcan Tucker is the new batter in for Ireland at number 3.

OUT! IN THE AIR AND GONE! Arshdeep Singh with the first strike for India. Charges in from over the wicket and hits the deck hard, around off and middle, Paul Stirling sets himself deep in his crease and shapes up to go across the line. He fails to account for the extra bounce off the surface and ends up getting a top edge. It goes straight up behind the keeper. Rishabh Pant and first slip turn around and go after it but Pant calls for it, keeps the eyes settled on the ball, and takes a safe catch near his chest running backward. A sedate start from Paul Stirling comes to an end.

Hurls it on a hard length, outside off, a hint of away movement, Andy Balbirnie goes on the back foot and keeps it out on the off side.

FOUR! Too straight and these are easy pickings for Andy Balbirnie. Slides on the pads, on a back of a length, Andy Balbirnie gets inside the line and swivels to help it away. Gets it off the gloves and it races away to the fine leg fence for a boundary.

Wow, that took off! Rishabh Pant does well to not concede any extras! Siraj bangs it into the deck, over the middle, Andy Balbirnie drops his wrists and lets the ball go. It climbs onto the batter and rises even after going past him. Pant leaps and gets a glove on it to make the stop.

Swing and a miss! Delivers it in the channel on off, on a short of a good length, Andy Balbirnie gives himself room and charges down the track to go big on the off side but fails to connect.

Nicely bowled! Bowls it with an upright seam from over the wicket, seaming away off the deck, at 133.6 kph, Andy Balbirnie hangs back and shapes to play it square on the off side but gets beaten on the outside edge.

Attacks the off pole, on a good length, Andy Balbirnie gets right behind the line and pushes it to cover.

Mohammed Siraj to operate from the other end.

Three dots on the trot to end the first over. Bends his back and digs it in short, on off, Paul Stirling shows his cards early by stepping out and has to duck to let the ball pass.

Sees the batter advance does Arshdeep reacts by tucking him up for room. On a back of a length, swinging back in, on middle and leg, Paul Stirling makes room but can only pat this one to cover.

Beaten and that did not carry to the keeper. Early signs of the variable bounce. Gets the ball to angle across the right-hander, on a good length, Paul Stirling looks to keep it out with a straight bat but plays inside the line of the ball and it goes on the bounce to the keeper.

Swinging back in, at the stumps, on a good length, Paul Stirling presents a high elbow and punches it to cover.

Paul Stirling is off the mark too! Arshdeep pulls his length back and bowls it on a length, around off, shaping in, Paul Stirling gives the bowler the charge and times the drive through covers. The ball slows up in the outfield and does not have enough legs to reach the fence. Poor running from the Irish openers as they settle with just two.

Andy Balbirnie and Ireland are underway! Steams in from over the wicket and gets a good inward shape, full and around leg, Andy Balbirnie brings his wrists into play and clips it through square leg for a single.

All done with the pre-match formalities, and now it's time to start the action at Nassau County International Cricket Stadium. The Indian team is in the last-minute huddle near the ropes before dispersing to their respective fielding positions. Out walk the two Irish openers, Paul Stirling and Andy Balbirnie. Arshdeep Singh has the new ball and is all in readiness to get the proceedings underway with the new ball for India. And, here we go...

Before we get to the real business, the teams are lining up for their respective national anthems. Yuvraj Singh, one of the ambassadors of this World Cup strides out with the shining trophy in his hands along with the two Umpires. It will be Ireland's anthem first, followed by the Indian national anthem.

The captain of Ireland, Paul Stirling says that they would have bowled first as well with the overcast conditions around. Shares that the prepartion has been really good through the Tri-Series in Amsterdam and are looking forward to this game. Tells that there are plenty of match-winners in their side and it is about turning up and feels that there cannot be a better occasion than this. With the indifferent results witnessed at this venue, he feels that assessing condtions early will be important. Ends by informing that they are going with 3 pacers and 2 spinners with a couple of all-rounders.

Rohit Sharma, the Indian skipper opts to bowl first. Says the preparation has been alright and says it has been a bit challenging on this track but it's all about assesing the conditions but as professionals they need to be prepared. Says at the end of the day, you have to use all your experience and play good cricket and that they played on a similar track in the warm-up so they do understand what to expect. Adds it's gonna be slightly different to what they are used to and says that having a score in front of them would be ideal. Says they are going with four seamers including Hardik Pandya and two spinning all-rounders are Axar Patel and Ravindra Jadeja.

Ireland (Playing XI) - Paul Stirling (C), Andy Balbirnie, Lorcan Tucker (WK), Harry Tector, Curtis Campher, George Dockrell, Gareth Delany, Mark Adair, Barry McCarthy, Joshua Little, Ben White.

India (Playing XI) - Rohit Sharma (C), Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant (WK), Suryakumar Yadav, Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Siraj.

TOSS - India have won the toss and they have opted to BOWL first.

PITCH REPORT - Shaun Pollock starts by informing that 63 meters and 72 meters are the dimensions of the square boundaries, with a 74-meter hit down the ground. He says that the outfield was sluggish, but ground staff have given it an extra cut, and he hopes that it results in a quicker outfield. Ebony Rainford-Brent joins him and informs that pitch number 1 was used for the game between Sri Lanka and South Africa but this game will be played on pitch number 4. Opines that this looks a good wicket and it is the same surface which saw India score 182 in the warm-up game against Bangladesh. With overcast skies, Pollock feels that it is better to bowl first with the uncertainty regarding the surface.

On the other side, Ireland enter this World Cup brimming with confidence, having upset Pakistan before going on to clinch the Tri-Series involving the Netherlands and Scotland. The Irish boast a deep batting lineup, but for a significant impact, Paul Stirling, Andy Balbirnie, Lorcan Tucker, and Harry Tector will need to perform collectively. In the bowling department, Joshua Little and Mark Adair will hold the key, with Little expected to exploit India's historical struggles against left-arm seamers. While Ireland have never beaten India in Men's T20Is, records mean little, and it's all about who plays better cricket on the day. Buckle up, as this promises to be a fascinating contest. Toss and team news coming up.

India came heartbreakingly close to ending their ICC trophy drought at the 2023 ODI World Cup, only to stumble at the final hurdle against Australia. Now, Rohit Sharma's men are on a determined quest for redemption, eager to end their trophy drought once and for all. The backbone of India's batting unit features Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Suryakumar Yadav. However, the performance of the supporting cast will be crucial in determining India's fate in the competition. On the bowling front, all eyes will be on Jasprit Bumrah and Kuldeep Yadav, two game-changers capable of turning the tide in India's favour single-handedly.

Hello and a warm welcome, everyone! We are back in the bustling 'Big Apple,' where India take on Ireland at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in match number 8 of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup, 2024. T20I cricket's debut in New York has been quite challenging for batters, with drop-in pitches proving tricky to navigate. If the surface behaves as it did during the clash between Sri Lanka and South Africa, it will make for some entertaining viewing.

... MATCH DAY ...

The ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024 has kickstarted well, and the spotlight now shifts to the crucial clash between India and Ireland at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York. This match, the eighth of the tournament and the second in Group A, promises to be a thrilling encounter. Both teams have played one warm-up game each, with India securing a dominant victory against Bangladesh, while Ireland suffered a defeat at the hands of Sri Lanka. Historically, India has maintained an unbeaten record against Ireland, a trend they will be aiming to continue. While Ireland will be determined to put their best foot forward to start the World Cup campaign on a high. The Indian skipper, Rohit Sharma will be immensely pleased with the striking from Rishabh Pant, who returns to the Indian side, providing much-needed stability in the middle order. With Virat Kohli and Suryakumar Yadav in good form and the middle order looking solid, all eyes will be on who will open alongside Rohit Sharma. Hardik Pandya's return to form, both with the bat and ball, is a significant boost along with Shivam Dube's performance in the warm-up game, where he bowled a few overs, giving the skipper plenty of options to choose from. On the other hand, Ireland's skipper Paul Stirling will emphasize the importance of his team playing as a cohesive unit, which has been crucial in their recent successes. The bowling unit looks strong, led ably by Joshua Little, Mark Adair and Craig Young, all of whom have been in good form. The batting unit has seen good performances from individuals while the unit hasn't been able to fire as a whole which will be a concern that the team will aim to address as they gear up for their first game of the tournament. A lot will depend on Andy Balbirnie, Lorcan Tucker and Harry Tector to deliver a strong batting performance against a formidable Indian side. With the pitch likely to offer early swing and spin, the bowlers will play a crucial role in setting the tone for what promises to be an exciting game as these two teams launch their World Cup campaigns at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium.