More than the outcome, the opening T20I against Ireland in Dublin on Friday was about Jasprit Bumrah and his comeback after a 11-month hiatus.

The fast bowler finished with 2/24 as India restricted Ireland to 139/7 with Prasidh Krishna, another pacer making a return from injury, finishing with 2/32.

Leg spinner Ravi Bishnoi was another successful bowler with 2/23. Bishnoi’s googlies were too hot to handle and he accounted for the Irish skipper Paul Stirling and Mark Adair.

It was a commendable performance from Bumrah’s team who called the shots from the outset and rarely gave Ireland any chance to bounce back.

Bumrah and Prasidh had good first spells while Bishnoi teased the home batters through his four overs. Arshdeep Singh didn’t end well though.

Ireland were 59/6 inside 11 overs before Barry McCarthy propped the total in the death overs with a well-crafted 33-ball 51 not out (4x4, 4x6).

Some clean striking from McCarthy who registered his career-best score helped Ireland to 139, but they were content with playing catch-up on a true batting surface.

McCarthy reached his maiden half-century with a last-ball six off Arshdeep. His innings was laced with four boundaries and as many sixes.

Bumrah began in a whirlwind fashion picking up two wickets in his first over. First he had opener Andy Balbirnie nicking onto the stumps off the second ball of the innings and then Lorcan Tucker was caught behind.

While his first two overs yielded 10 runs, he gave away 13 in the third over. His final over cost only 1 run.

Bumrah didn’t go all out in his first outing since his back surgery concentrating on bowling in the 139kmph mark. He breached the 140 kmph barrier barely on a couple of occasions.

After four overs, Prasidh, who made his T20I debut, was handed the ball and ended the struggle of Harry Tector (9) with the batter giving a simple catch to Tilak Varma while looking for a ramp shot.

The hosts continued to pay the price for poor execution as Prasidh had George Dockrell (3) caught by Ruturaj Gaikwad at cover with a short delivery.

Curtis Campher, who made 39 off 33 balls, used the long handle in the closing stages, including a six off Bumrah. Arshdeep went for 22 in his last over.