The below-par pitch at the Nassau County International Stadium in New York hogged the limelight once again on Wednesday. But that aside, India did make sure they ticked the box of getting off to an emphatic start in this T20 World Cup.

That certainly plays an important part in taking care of the team morale, especially before tougher assignments. India have one on Sunday when they lock horns with arch-rivals Pakistan, so the commanding win on Wednesday should be of good help in terms of their mindset.

The performance of India’s bowlers, the seam attack in particular, stood out as they were disciplined for most part of the innings, while poor application from Irish batters made the Indian pacers’ task easier. But one big positive emerging from the Ireland game was the performance of Hardik Pandya (3/27).

Under pressure lately, the seamer all-rounder was at the receiving end ever since being appointed Mumbai Indians captain, while the franchise too fared poorly under his leadership in this year’s IPL. However, there has been an occasion or two when Pandya delivered with the ball during the IPL, where he finished with 11 scalps from 14 appearances.

In pitches having something in them for the bowlers, batters couldn’t quite unleash big strokes at the drop of a hat off his bowling. On Wednesday, it was the movement he extracted off the pitch that fetched him his first couple of wickets. Going forward
in the competition, if India come across similar kind of pitches/conditions, it won’t be easy for their opponents to put Pandya away.

“It’s the just first match of the Cup, so too early to comment about Pandya’s bowling. But yes, he’s a wicket-taker,” former India all-rounder and ex-selector Madan Lal told The Telegraph on Thursday.

“His smooth action aside, he’s that kind of a bowler who can take a wicket or two even if he goes for runs. It’s always an advantage if you can take wickets.”

“Hardik looked really good. Even during practice, he has been bowling really well. He looks fit enough to go through four overs and he has been bowling with some pace and some accuracy,” said India’s batting coach Vikram Rathour.

No.3 debate settled

Just as he had done in the warm-up game against Bangladesh last week, Rishabh Pant again came out to bat at No.3 against Ireland and was successful as well. On a difficult pitch, he remained unbeaten on 36 off 26 balls and ensured not to compromise on his unorthodox style of strokeplay. That, even after he was hit on his left elbow.

Whether this move will benefit India in the long run remains to be seen, but Pant seems comfortable batting at No.3 which bodes well for the side. “The two games Pant has played in, he has looked really, really good.

“So yes, at the moment, he is our No.3 and it helps that he is a left-hander,” Rathour emphasised.