India cricket team opener Abhishek Sharma heaped praise on Ireland following the IRE vs IND 1st T20I, and claimed that the hosts deserved to win. Playing their first T20I after winning the World Cup earlier this year, Shreyas Iyer and co. suffered a stunning collapse in the run-chase, and were handed a 34-run defeat by the hosts. Following the loss, Sharma pinned the blame on India’s failure to adapt to the conditions in Belfast and execute plans effectively for the miserable start to their campaign.
India’s failure to adapt, execute led to IRE vs IND 1st T20I loss
Speaking to reporters in the post-match press conference, Abhishek pointed out that Ireland came out on top as a group in terms of batting, bowling and fielding, and hence deserved the victory. The Indian opener admitted that the team had failed to execute certain parts of their plans, adding that the team had learnt their lesson and vowed to bounce back strongly. Sharma was the top run-getter for India, having scored a 20-ball fifty laced with 7 fours and 2 sixes.
“The team that plays well, executes the plans well is better suited to win. Ireland did well as a group in batting, bowling and fielding. I feel they totally deserve this win. I feel we were unable to execute a few things as a team. We obviously learn something from that and move on to the next match,” Sharma said.
Chasing a target of 183 runs, India were bundled out for just 148, with majority of the top and middle-order failing to fire. Abhishek Sharma opined that the Men in Blue had failed to quickly adapt to the conditions. Ireland now lead the two-match series 1-1, with India now having the chance to only draw the series as the two sides meet once again on June 28.
“It’s just how quickly we adapt to the conditions, that really matters as a team. Because when you are playing back-to-back games, as a group you have to step forward and get used to the conditions, whenever you get practice sessions or get used to. I feel as a dominating team, you have to adapt really quick, and that’s what we were trying today. Unfortunately that didn’t happen,” Sharma added.
