Ruthless India opened their T20 World Cup campaign with a convincing eight-wicket win over Ireland in New York.
India only needed 97 to win after a dominant attacking display which saw Hardik Pandya take 3-27 and the unplayable Jasprit Bumrah collect 2-6.
Ireland scrambed their way to 96 but were left needing to take every chance to have any hope of a miracle victory.
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Virat Kohli was dismissed cheaply in India’s chase but there were no such issues for Virat Kohli, who was in superb form at the crease.
The India skipper stormed to 52 – a total which included striking Josh Little for back-to-back sixes – before retiring with a shoulder injury.
But it did not affect India’s run to an inevitable victory, clinched in stunning style by Rishabh Pant’s 36 not out.
Pant his the winning runs with an outrageous reverse ramp for six over the wicketkeeper’s hand with 46 to spare to send India fans into raptures.
Bumrah, named Player of the Match for his ruthless bowling performance, said: “Coming from India, you see the ball seaming around, I would never complain when there’s help for the bowlers.
“In this format you have to be proactive, you can’t always pre-empt things, these are the conditions and you have to adapt as quickly as possible. We thought the new ball would do a lot.
“You want to cover all bases, once the seam goes down it does settle a bit. We’re very happy with the outcome today.”
India face Pakistan in a blockbuster showdown on Sunday, while Ireland will be aiming to bounce back against Canada on Friday.
