The three-match T20I series between Ireland and Team India proved to be a rain-affected affair, with two out of the three games being influenced by the weather God.
The first T20I saw India win by two runs via the DLS method after inclement weather brought a premature halt to their run-chase of 140. But, it was not before we saw serious cricketing skills displayed by both sides.
Firstly, it was the comeback men, skipper Jasprit Bumrah and lanky pacer, Prasidh Krishna, who whetted the appetite of the on-lookers with an incisive display of pace bowling.
But, Ireland's Brian McCarthy showed that he was up to the challenge as he led the home sides' comeback with a blistering unbeaten 51 not-out off just 33 deliveries. It was due to his knock, and Curtis Campher's handy 33-ball 39, which helped Ireland post a competitive total of 139/7.
Seamer Craig Young's double strikes in the powerplay brought some spice to the contest, but in the end, the rain gods had the last laugh, and India managed to escape with a 2-run win.
The 2nd T20I proved to be an entertaining affair. As sun shone on the beautiful Malahide stadium, the likes of Ruturaj Gaikwad (58 off 43), Sanju Samson (40 off 26) and debutant Rinku Singh (38 off 21) made merry to help India post 185/5 in 20 overs.
Andrew Balbirnie kept Ireland's hopes alive with a majestic 51-ball 72, but Bumrah's brilliance at the death ensured that India were comfortable victors by 33 runs.
The final T20I was abandoned without a ball bowled thanks to persistent rain, handing captain Bumrah a 2-0 triumph in his maiden assignment.
Key Takeaways From India's T20I Series vs Ireland
Jasprit Bumrah rewinds clock to the good old days
The entire build-up of India's tour of Ireland was centered around the comeback of champion pacer Jasprit Bumrah, and by god, didn't he live up to the expectations!?
Bumrah returned to the international arena after a gap of 329 days, and it did not take long for him to rewind the clock back to the glory days, when he would just make the ball talk in whichever language he wanted to.
The legendary pacer was among the wickets in his very first over, post his return as he dismissed opener Andrew Balbirnie and Lorcan Tucker.
The dismissal of Balbirnie was peak Bumrah, with a ball seaming back in wickedly to beat the defense of the batter and smash his off-stump.
Bumrah has made a visible change in his run-up in order to prevent any future back injuries. Previously, the right-handed bowler used to take just a few steps before unleashing his explosive action.
This resulted in a lot of stress on his shoulders and back. He has now added a few steps to his run-up.
While he may have made a few changes to his run-up, his versatility and variations are a constant, and the stand-in skipper showed that to the hilt in both the matches.
Bumrah was as sensational at the death as he was in the powerplay, varying his pace and length with absolute precision.
He delivered 4 overs at the death across two T20Is, and ended up conceding just 19 runs while taking 3 wickets in the process. In addition to this, Bumrah also delivered a wicket-maiden in the 20th over of the 2nd T20I.
Jasprit finished with figures of 2/24 and 2/15 across 8 overs of both T20Is, and was also adjudged 'Player of the Match' for his performance in the first match.
Fair to say, Bumrah is well and truly back ahead of the marquee events like the Asia Cup and World Cup 2023.
Also Read: Top Knocks By Virat Kohli in Asia Cup History
Prasidh Krishna impresses on T20I debut
Apart from Jasprit Bumrah, tall pacer Prasidh Krishna's return to the national set-up was a major point of intrigue ahead of the India vs Ireland series.
Krishna was handed his maiden T20I cap in the first T20I, and he immediately showed why he is so highly rated in the Indian cricketing circle.
Prasidh made the ball to jump on the Irish batters, and at pace, and was aptly rewarded for the same.
He registered figures of 2/32 and 2/29 across the two games. However, Prasidh's death bowling left a lot to be desired, and it is something that he will be looking to work on.
Rinku Singh shines on International debut
Rinku Singh drives through the covers (Image Credit: BCCI)
Rinku Singh's years of perseverance, persistence and consistent performances were finally translated into international success this past week as the southpaw shone the brightest in his very first outing in the national colours.
Rinku was handed his maiden India cap during the 2nd T20I, and he ensured he did what he does best for the Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL: providing finishing touches to the innings.
Rinku was cautious at the start as he went at a run-a-ball for the first 15 deliveries, before unleashing his venom against McCarthy by smashing a couple of sixes and a four.
He finished on 38 (off 21 deliveries) and ensured that India were able to post an eventual match-winning total. The southpaw was adjudged 'Player of the Match' for his stellar show.
