ICC T20 World Cup 2024: Rohit Sharma provides crucial update on his injury after India's eight wicket win over Ireland

Rohit Sharma left the field when he was batting at 52 against Ireland.

Indian captain Rohit Sharma provided crucial update on his injury after winning ICC T20 World Cup 2024’s first group stage match against Paul Stirling-led Ireland by eight wickets at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York on June 5.

After winning the toss and opting to field first, the Indian pace quartet didn’t disappoint their skipper’s decision as the Men in Blue dismantled Ireland’s batting line-up and bowled them out for just 96 runs on a spicy New York pitch.

Men in Blue vice-captain Hardik Pandya led the bowling attack as he took a three-wicket haul. While Indian speedsters Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh bagged two wickets each to restrict Ireland under 100 runs. For Ireland, Gareth Delany (26) was the top run scorer for his side, as other batters failed to score runs.

While chasing 97 runs, Indian skipper Rohit Sharma smashed unbeaten 52, whereas wicket-keeper batter Rishabh Pant scored 36 runs in 26 deliveries as Men in Blue won the one-sided affair by eight wickets. With this win, the Rohit-led side is at the top of the Group A standings.

Just a little sore on the arm: Rohit Sharma on his injury

Earlier in the match, Men in Blue skipper Rohit was hit on his shoulder off Joshua Little’s delivery in the ninth over of the second innings. Following that, Rohit Sharma added more runs to his name until the drinks break when he called the Indian physio to check on him.

However, the Indian skipper, who was then batting at 52* runs decided to walk off the field along with the physio and Rohit was looking in some discomfort while heading back to the Indian dressing room.

During the post-match presentation, opener Rohit said that he walked off the field after having a little sore on his arm. He further added that the pitch is quite unsure what to expect from it.

“Yeah, just a little sore (the arm). I said it at the toss as well. Quite unsure of what to expect from the pitch. Not aware on what it is to play like on a pitch that’s five months old. I don’t think the wicket settled down even when we batted second. There was enough for the bowlers. That’s pretty much what you gotta do. Try to hit those lengths consistently. All these guys have played a lot of Test cricket,” Rohit Sharma said.

Arshdeep’s two wickets set the tone for us: Rohit Sharma

Indian left-arm speedster Arshdeep Singh bowled brilliantly with the new ball as he removed both the Irish openers in the third over of the first innings. Arshdeep first removed Ireland skipper Paul Stirling, then on the last ball of the third over, he dismantled Andrew Balbirnie’s stumps.

Rohit praised Arshdeep for taking two wickets in the starting which gave the momentum to the rest of the Indian bowlers. The Indian skipper also added that they might not play four spinners.

“Arshdeep is the only guy who hasn’t. His two wickets upfront set the tone for us. Don’t think we can play four spinners here (laughs). When we picked the team, we wanted to have the balance. If conditions are there for seamers, we wanted to have that. Spin will play a part later on,” Rohit Sharma said.

We will prepare for Pakistan Game: Rohit Sharma

The Indian skipper also added that if the conditions are bowling friendly, the side will be prepared for the much-awaited Pakistan clash on June 9 at the same venue.

“Today was a four-seamer pitch and we still managed to get two spinners who are allrounders. I don’t know what to expect from the pitch to be honest. We will prepare as if the conditions are going to be like this (for Pakistan game). This is going to be a kind of game where all XI of us will need to contribute. It was scratchy, but good to spend some time in the middle and understand what kind of shots to play there,” Indian skipper concluded.

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