‘We failed…’: Abhishek Sharma explains India’s shock defeat to Ireland | Cricket News
NEW DELHI: Opening India Abhishek Sharma admitted his team failed to adapt to the conditions after Ireland stunned the T20 World Cup champions by 34 runs in the first T20I in Belfast on Friday.Despite smashing a half-century, Abhishek could not prevent India from suffering their first ever defeat against Ireland in any format. The loss also marked a disappointing start Shreyas IyerThe Ireland captain took a 1-0 lead in the two-match series.“We have to adapt really quickly”Abhishek said that quick adaptation to the conditions is vital, especially when teams have little time between matches.“It’s how quickly we adapt to the conditions, it’s really important as a team, because when you’re playing back-to-back matches, as a group you have to take a step forward and get used to the conditions, every time you have practice sessions or you probably get used to it, I feel like a dominant team, you have to adapt really quickly and that’s what we were trying today, but unfortunately it didn’t happen the report Sharma didn’t happen later.Ireland made historyIreland posted a challenging 182/9 after captain Lorcan Tucker led the way with a well-made half-century. Gareth Delany added 49, while George Dockrell provided the late fireworks to lift the hosts to a strong total.Harshit Rana was India’s best bowler with figures of 3/24, while Arshdeep Singh and Axar Patel took two wickets each.Abhishek shines, India crumblesChasing 183, India got off to a flying start as Abhishek attacked from the first over. He hammered seven fours and two sixes to race to his fifty in just 19 balls before falling for 50 from just 20 deliveries.However, wickets kept falling around him. Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan and captain Shreyas Iyer failed to make an impact, while Tilak Varma, Washington Sundar and Axar Patel failed to build partnerships.Shivam Dube briefly revived India’s hopes with a quick 16-ball 25, but his dismissal ended any chance of a comeback. India were eventually bowled out for 148 in 18.5 overs.Matthew Hollard and Matthew Humphreys starred with three wickets each for Ireland, while debutant Jai Moondra impressed with figures of 2/25.Online seriesThe two teams meet again in the second and final T20I on Sunday, with India needing a win to avoid a series defeat after Ireland’s historic win.
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