Twenty20 World Cup: Hardik, Rohit shine as India start off campaign with 8 wicket win over Ireland

India thrashes Ireland in ICC T20 World Cup opener with Rohit Sharma's half-century and Pant's finishing.

A half-century by skipper Rohit Sharma, fine finishing by Rishabh Pant and scorching spells by Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah were the highlights as India started their ICC T20 World Cup campaign on winning note by thrashing Ireland by eight wickets at Nassau County Stadium in New York on Wednesday.

It was Pant's bat that produced the winning shot. In the run-chase of 97 runs, Indian skipper Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli came to open. Rohit survived a dropped catch and a bowled dismissal. However, Virat could not cash on his luck on this tough surface as a top edge from his bat landed in the hands of Benjamin White, with Mark Adair getting the wicket. India was 22/1 in 2.4 overs.

Following his dismissal, Rohit and Rishabh Pant rebuild the innings, with some fine strokes. At the end of six overs of the powerplay, India was 39/1, with Rohit (27*) and Pant (7*) unbeaten. India reached the 50-run mark in 7.5 overs with the help of a boundary from Pant. In the next over, Rohit smashed Joshua Little for two sixes over fine leg and deep square leg.

Rohit reached his 10th T20 WC half-century in just 36 balls, with four boundaries and three sixes. At the end of 10 overs, India was 76/1, with Rohit (52*) and Pant (18*) unbeaten.

Rohit retired out because of a hit to his arm earlier and Suryakumar Yadav came out to bat.

Pant kept the chase going with a four and six. However, Suryakumar Yadav was dismissed for just two runs after being caught by George Dockrell for just two runs, with White getting his wicket. India was 91/2 in 11.4 overs. India ended their run-chase successfully at a score of 97/2, with the winning six coming from the bat of Pant (36* in 26 balls, with three fours and two sixes).

Earlier, the Indian bowling attack's aggressive performance restrict Ireland to 96 in the 8th match of the T20 World Cup 2024 at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York on Wednesday.