In a thrilling encounter on Friday, August 18, India clinched a nail-biting two-run win over Ireland in the first T20I match, with the DLS method coming into play due to the weather. The match not only marked the return of Jasprit Bumrah to action after an 11-month hiatus but also etched his name in Indian cricket history. Bumrah’s remarkable performance earned him the title of the first-ever Indian cricketer to receive the Player of the Match award on his T20I debut as captain.
Jasprit Bumrah’s journey back to the cricketing field was a triumph over adversity. The star pacer had spent the better part of the last 11 months on the sidelines, nursing an injury he sustained during the ODI series against Australia in September 2022. This injury made him miss the ICC T20 World Cup 2022 and the Indian Premier League 2023. His recovery journey saw him diligently rehabilitating at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru.
The Indian cricket team that took on Ireland notably missed several senior figures. The Rohit Sharma-led side chose to rest these players in preparation for the forthcoming Asia Cup 2023, set to commence on August 30 in Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Bumrah’s inclusion in the squad for the Ireland series was granted after receiving medical clearance from the BCCI’s medical staff. As a significant twist, Bumrah was named the captain for the first time in T20Is, a role he embraced with determination.
The Irish encounter served as a platform for Bumrah to regain his match fitness, a crucial step towards earning a spot in India’s squad for the Asia Cup. Throughout the game, he displayed a remarkable rhythm and appeared fully recovered from his persistent back injury. Notably, Bumrah made a striking impact right from the start, claiming two wickets in the game’s opening over. His spell saw him concede a mere 24 runs across four overs, with his signature yorkers and bouncers on full display, delighting Indian fans with his trademark magic.
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As India’s 11th captain in T20Is and the first bowler to assume the role, Bumrah achieved another notable milestone. He secured the Player of the Match award on his captaincy debut in the shortest format of the game, marking an achievement unprecedented in Indian cricket history. Post-match, Bumrah exuded positivity and shared his feelings about returning to the field and bowling again.
“Felt very good. So many sessions I did at the NCA and the practice games. I didn’t feel like I missed out a lot or was doing something new, so credit the staff there. Very happy to be back, and always good to contribute. No nerves when you’re captaining; you are thinking more about the whole team and not just your performance,” Bumrah expressed during the post-match presentation.
