Indian skipper Jasprit Bumrah believes it is a great headache to have when it comes to selecting the team’s playing XI. India has a potent bench strength, which makes it difficult for them to pick their final XI despite playing with a B-string team.
Team India took an impregnable 2-0 lead in the three-match T20I series against Ireland at the Village, Dublin on Sunday after winning the second game convincingly by 33 runs.
India posted a par score of 185-5 after Ireland captain Paul Stirling won the toss and decided to bowl first. Ruturaj Gaikwad top-scored for the team with 58 runs off just 43 balls as he played at the top of his game and timed the ball to perfection.
Sanju Samson also played a crucial knock of 40 runs off just 26 balls and added 71 runs with Gaikwad. Subsequently, Rinku Singh added the finishing touches as he smashed 38 runs from 21 balls in his maiden International innings.
On the other hand, Jasprit Bumrah, Prasidh Krishna, and Ravi Bishnoi scalped two wickets each to keep Ireland at 152-8. Ergo, India came up with a collective team effort with both bat and ball to get the job done in the second T20I.
Jasprit Bumrah was delighted with the team’s winning effort and feels it is important to handle the expectations with guile.
Bumrah, who has made a terrific return to International cricket, said in the post-match presentation, “I am feeling good. Today was a little drier. We thought it would get slower and hence batted first. It is very pleasing. It is tough to pick an XI. Great headache to have. Everyone is eager.”
He added, “Everyone is confident. All of us wanted to play for India. Eventually, everyone has to work their way up. If you play with baggage of expectations, you are under pressure. You have to keep those expectations aside. You are not doing yourself 100 percent justice if you are playing with so many expectations.”
The third T20I between India and Ireland will be played at the same venue, the Village, Dublin on Wednesday.
