Dravid hinted toss is quite big in these conditions: Gary Wilson

Ireland were blown away in their T20 World Cup 2024 opener against India. Asked to bat first on a tricky pitch, they were bowled out for 96 in 16 overs. Alongside a quality bowling performance from the Indian seamers, the Irish batters also faced a challenge from the pitch. The ball moved prodigiously throught the innings with extensive bounce. 

The variable bounce also created a sense of threat for the batters. Harry Tector, who scored four off 16 balls was hit on his hand while tackling a bouncer from Jasprit Bumrah. 

However, Ireland’s batting coach Gary Wilson, said there was no concern about the player’s safety in the Irish camp. “I wouldn't say we were concerned about player safety to be honest. It was obviously a tricky wicket but I think there was a few close misses but I think that's all they were really,” he said. 

“I think his hand is okay at the minute on initial inspection but we'll probably have to wait until a bit later on the season to get a really good read on that,” he added on Tector’s injury. 

Bowled out for a double-digit score, Wilson said Ireland were short of a competitive score. 

“I spoke with (Paul) Stirling after about three or four overs and the main message was that if we can get anywhere sort of competitive, then we would be in with a chance because of the movement.

“It was about not having the mindset of we're playing against India and we have to go and get 180 - 190 It's not that type of pitch. It was more. Can we get it to a competitive score? And unfortunately, we were probably just a little bit short of that. I wouldn't say we were wouldn't say we were miles short and but yeah, just not to be today,” he said about Ireland’s total. 

India chased it down in 12.2 overs. At no point, Ireland threatened India to defend it. Skipper Rohit Sharma scored 52 off 37 balls while Rishabh Pant contributed 36 from 26 balls to the cause. Wilson reckoned the Irish bowlers were bit off their radar that allowed India to sail through to victory, even though not at a high run rate. 

“We were probably a little bit off with our lengths as well with the ball, but it was going to be very difficult to defend 96. I think very rarely do you see a team get rolled and then the next innings is also very low. It often is if a team gets rolled then the next innings,” he explained. 

Did the toss become a crucial factor? Wilson felt it was the case and also shed a light on the Indian coach Rahul Dravid’s thought about it. 

“Speaking to Rahul Dravid after the game he said that they were able to manage that so well because they knew they only had to get 96, but he also said if the shoe was in the other foot, it could have been a different story.

“As the Indian coach there just alluded to; the toss is quite big. We definitely got the rough end of that today, but that's cricket and you can't do anything about that. So, it is about coming up with a way of getting a competitive score that we can defend on Friday,” Wilson said on his conversation with Dravid. 

Wilson assessed that these pitches can narrow down the gap in contests between a smaller and a bigger team. However, he reckoned the more quality side will still hold the edge in the end, as it was the case against India, and as it can help them in their next fixture, against Canada. 

“I think the gap will be closer in any game of cricket on that surface, if I'm being honest, But I still think the more times you play against a team that you're not as good as, if you're 10 times, you might win a couple more than you normally would. But the better team will still come out on top more often than not. So, I think we've got to go in with that attitude on Friday,” Wilson said. 

Ireland face Canada in New York on June 7. It is likely to be the same pitch and Wilson hopes that his batters can fulfill the significance of that competitive total. 

“We are going to go away and assess and have a think about how we're going to put that competitive score against Canada on Friday,” the 38-year-old said. 

If you’ve not downloaded the Cricket.com app yet, you’re missing out — big time. Play Fantasy on Cricket.com NOW! Download the App here.