In front of a smaller fan base than expected – given that the ICC and its stakeholders had the expat diaspora in mind when deciding to host the tournament in the USA – the Indian cricket team made quick work of Ireland in their first match of the T20 World Cup in New York, but questions over the conditions and quality of cricket remain.
A few days after Sri Lanka were bowled out for 77 by South Africa, the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium hosted its second match, and the result was similar. On a bowler-friendly pitch on which several deliveries kicked up dangerously, Ireland were dismissed for 96 in 16 overs before India chased their target for the loss of two wickets – one of which was Rohit Sharma who retired hurt on 52 off 37 balls – to top Group A.
The win came four days before the blockbuster clash with Pakistan this weekend at the same Long Island venue,
Having won the toss under an overcast sky, Rohit rightly decided to field given the uncertainty over the pitch and the decision was the correct one.
Arshdeep Singh took two wickets in the third over, smartly changing his pace and digging the ball into the sticky surface to get Paul Stirling (5) and Andy Balbirnie (2). Hardik Pandya came on as the second change bowler and enjoyed his return to India blues for the first time since the 2023 ODI World Cup, dismissing Lorcan Tucker (10) and Curtis Campher (12) in his first spell as Ireland slumped to 46 for 6 in the 10th over. That became 50 for 8 in the 12th over after Jasprit Bumrah and Axar Patel also struck, and thanks to 15 extras and 14 from tailender Josh Little.
Chasing 97, India’s decision to use Virat Kohli as opener did not pay off, as the in-form batsman was dismissed for one run when trying to attack but only managed to hand a catch to the fielder at deep third man. Again, this was also because of the uncertainty over the pitch.
Rohit, dropped on 2 by Balbirnie in the slips and a couple times made to awkwardly hop around at the crease, applied himself well to negate the threat of Ireland’s quicks with a solid half-century that contained four fours and three sixes. During his innings, Rohit also passed 4000 runs in T20I. The India captain promptly retired hurt after getting to 52, after a ball from Little struck him on the shoulder, but Rohit later dismissed the issue as soreness.
While Suryakumar Yadav failed at No 4, the man sent in at one-down to separate three right-handers, Rishabh Pant, finished off the chase with 46 deliveries to spare. Pant scored 36 off 26 balls, ending the match with a reverse-scooped six over deep third man off Barry McCarthy.
After two matches on New York’s temporary drop-in pitch that have been dominated by bowlers and have had batsmen unsure of how to apply themselves, the ICC has a problem on its hands. These World Cup matches were supposed to attract the expat fans as well as lure in a new audience in America, but based on what we have witnessed in New York – as well as in Dallas in other matches – the conditions are not conducive to T20 cricket.
In the first match between Sri Lanka and South Africa, 14 wickets fell for 157 runs. Yesterday, India bowled out Ireland for 96 in 16 overs. Genuine concerns have been laid bare about these pitches imported from Adelaide, as the fast bowlers in both games have got the ball to seam around with pace and bounce.
Ahead of the big showdown between India and Pakistan at the same venue on Sunday, the prospects of further dominance by the pacers looms large. Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah and Mohammad Amir must eagerly be awaiting that game.
