NEWS
Follow UsAs far as India are concerned, the three-match T20 International (T20I) series against Ireland is all about the return of fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah. After getting clipped for a boundary off the first ball of his spell, the pacer picked up two wickets in the over to make a triumphant return after 11 months on the sidelines.
Bumrah eventually finished with a spell of 2 for 24 from his four overs, which included conceding just one run off the penultimate over, winning him the player of the match as well.
Leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi, who picked up the wickets of Ireland captain Paul Stirling and all-rounder Mark Adair, says it was good to see Bumrah back and bowling in rhythm.
“It was his first match nearly after 11 months. The first ball he bowled was on the legs, but after that, the five balls he bowled were so good to see. Everyone was waiting for this Bumrah, and it was so good to see him back in his rhythm,” Bishnoi told reporters after India's victory over Ireland in the first T20I at Malahide.
In the end, India escaped with a lucky victory as they were found just two runs ahead of Ireland on DLS when it started pouring. Craig Young did well to bring Ireland back with two wickets off two balls, but it was not enough in the end.
“We were a bit unfortunate that the match was curtailed by the rain. Overall, we have played good cricket. We bowled really well and got a good start from our openers as well. If not for those wickets, we lost in the last over, we might have been in a very good condition,” he said.
“We won the toss, and we got that advantage. If they would have won, the advantage would have been with them. Toss always plays a crucial factor in such conditions. Today we were lucky."
Despite being part of the five T20Is against West Indies T20Is, Bishnoi managed to play just one game, and that too came when Kuldeep Yadav was injured in the second game. Bishnoi, who plies his trade with Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in the Indian Premier League (IPL), says there is much to learn despite being on the bench.
“There is a lot to learn. I was in West Indies for the five-match series, I played in one match and didn’t play the remaining four. But I was ready that whenever I will get a chance, I will give my 100%. I was ready for that opportunity,” the leg-spinner said.
Speaking of the role of a leg-spinner in T20s, Bishnoi explains that it is not just about going for wickets. “It depends upon the team situation. you can’t go with your own theory, a lot depends upon what the captain is saying, what the game situation is," he said.
India, who are 1-0 up, will look to seal the series on Sunday (August 20) when the clash with Ireland once again in the second T20I at Malahide.
