Highlights – India vs Ireland – Fast bowlers, Rohit and Pant blow Ireland away on spicy pitch

Few batters other than Rishabh Pant would attempt that sort of shot anywhere. He does it on this pitch, after being struck on the shoulder by a lifter the previous ball. He does it, and absolutely nails it to clear tbe boundary behind the keeper. The bowler, Barry McCarthy, can only smile.

A resounding finish for India. Resounding margins too – eight wickets, 46 balls remaining, after they bowled Ireland out for 96.

India begin their campaign with a big win, but this match will mostly be remembered for the pitch it was played on. Uneven bounce right through, mostly on the high side but occasionally low too, and sideways movement as well. The superior quality of India’s fast bowling probably won it, but India were also advantaged by batting second and knowing they were only chasing 97. Not that they didn’t keep taking chances nonetheless.

Onwards, then, for both teams. Ireland’s next game is day after tomorrow, against Canada, and India’s… well, you know when and against who that is. What kind of pitch can the tournament organisers rustle up, here in New York, for India vs Pakistan? All eyes are going to remain on the pitches here until June 9 rolls around.