Hardik Pandya’s performance and captaincy in the IPL 2024 season faced criticism, but he began the T20 World Cup with a strong showing by taking three wickets against Ireland in India’s opening match. The pitch was challenging for batters due to its two-paced nature, and Pandya stood out as India’s top bowler as they restricted Ireland to only 96 runs.
During the mid-innings break, Pandya expressed his pride in playing for his country and his gratitude for being able to contribute in World Cup matches. The match in New York had a great atmosphere, reminiscent of Mumbai where Pandya has played a lot of cricket, and he appreciated the support of Indian fans around the world.
Pandya highlighted his dismissal of Irish batsman Lorcan Tucker as his favorite wicket, citing the importance of being disciplined and hitting the right areas on a challenging surface. Other Indian bowlers who performed well in the match included Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Siraj, and Axar Patel. Pandya commended Axar on his sharp caught and bowled dismissal, describing it as an outstanding effort that showcased good hand-eye coordination.
