Jasprit Bumrah led a young Indian side in his first competitive appearance in almost 11 months on Friday, struck twice in the game’s opening over and was adjudged Man of the Match as well. He couldn’t have asked for a better comeback to international cricket.
However, that first over aside, he wasn’t really lethal thereafter although he did bowl quite a few dot balls that not just restricted Ireland to a low total, but also turned out to be crucial in India’s two-run win via DLS method in the series opener.
For sure Bumrah would be yearning for greater sharpness in the second T20I against Ireland at Malahide in Dublin on Sunday. The remaining games of this tour are the pacer’s best chance to fix the loose ends and be best prepared for the tougher challenges ahead.
However, everyone was waiting to see "this Bumrah", leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi acknowledged. More importantly, wickets and intimidating rival batsmen aside, his rhythm could certainly be gauged in his impressive figures of 2/24 off four overs in the first T20I.
"It was his first match after nearly 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 and a relief as well to see him back in his rhythm," Bishnoi said at the post-match news conference.
"The type of bowler he is, the whole world has seen his bowling and lauded it. His first delivery didn't work out, but the five balls after that were fun to watch. As I said, everyone was waiting to see this Bumrah, and it was fun to watch him bowl," added Bishnoi, who too ended with impressive figures of 2/23.
Bumrah too acknowledged feeling good during his four overs and didn't feel as if he was doing "something new" in his first game since September 25 last year. Asked if there were any nerves going into the game, Bumrah, at the post-match presentation on Friday, said: "Not really. When you're captaining, you are thinking more about the whole team and not just about your own performance.
"But yeah, I'm very happy that the weather was helpful for the bowlers. In every game, you want more and you always search for a perfect game."
Alongside Bumrah, fellow pacer Prasidh Krishna also had a pretty decent time out in the middle, striking twice. With the bowlers having fared well, it remains to be seen if India effect any changes in the second T20I.
Batting-wise, India will hope their youngsters do better and replicate the kind of performance that earned them success in the IPL.
India weren't comfortably placed in their pursuit of the 140-run target, slipping to 47/2 in 6.5 overs. Openers Yashasvi Jaiswal (24) and Ruturaj Gaikwad (19 not out) had taken India off to a steady start before Craig Young struck twice in the seventh over.
But the heavens opened up then and conditions didn't get any better for play to resume, which helped India sneak home. The need to convert starts is one aspect which the batting group needs to emphasise on.
Young Jaiswal was brilliant in terms of strokeplay in the fourth T20I against the West Indies. But consistency in international cricket is a different ball game, which he needs to understand.
Varma had a bad day with the bat on Friday and must be itching for an impactful knock. The promising Rinku Singh, too, would be waiting for his maiden international innings, making his India debut in the previous game.
However, if conditions remain overcast on Sunday, these young batters could be up for another test.
