Ireland v India: Tourists win by two runs on DLS method as rain halts T20 opener
- Published
Barry McCarthy hit his highest international score in Friday's game against India
First Twenty20 international, Malahide |
Ireland 139-7 (20 overs): McCarthy 51*, Campher 39; Bishnoi 2-23 |
India 47-2 (6.5 overs): Jaiswal 24, Gaikwad 19; Young 2-2 |
India won by two runs (DLS method) |
India won the first of three Twenty20 games against Ireland by two runs on the DLS method as rain brought an early end to play at Malahide on Friday.
Captain Jasprit Bumrah took two wickets in the first over as Ireland struggled to 59-6 before Barry McCarthy's unbeaten 51 helped the hosts to 139-7.
India openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and Ruturaj Gaikwad put on 46 before Craig Young claimed two wickets in two balls.
It left India 47-2 when rain arrived and it was just enough for victory.
Bumrah was making his return after almost a year out with a back injury and he started by winning the toss and bowling first.
It paid dividends as the paceman picked up the wickets of Andrew Balbirnie and Lorcan Tucker in his first five balls.
Spinner Ravi Bishnoi also took two wickets as Ireland collapsed and looked unlikely to post a three-figure total.
Umbrellas go up as rain rolls in to halt the action at Malahide
Curtis Campher (39) and McCarthy made that possible with a 57-run partnership for the seventh wicket.
McCarthy hit four maximums in a impressive knock and his half-century gave the hosts hope of a first win over India.
Jaiswal (24) and Gaikwad (19*) provided India with a solid start in response before Young, like Bumrah, bagged two wickets in his first over.
Rain was expected and it arrived to the disappointment of a big crowd but India secured a narrow win and the teams will meet again at the north Dublin ground on Sunday.
"From where we were 10 overs into the game to get ourselves back into a position where we're only two runs behind on DLS is a credit to our spirit," said McCarthy.
"We fought to the very end - one more wicket in those last few balls and it could've been a huge day in Irish cricket. We held our heads high and put up a fight against one of the best teams in the world.
"Being number eight is a bit more responsibility for me but it was an opportunity to get a score. I played positively and got up to a decent total."