New Delhi: India started their T20 World Cup 2024 campaign with a thumping win over Ireland. However, the joy of winning was cut short as Indian skipper Rohit Sharma trudged off the field due to an injury scare.
This pitch in New York is very poor! #IREvsIND
— Mickey Arthur (@Mickeyarthurcr1) June 5, 2024
Sharma played a blistering knock of 52 off 37 balls before being struck on the arm by a fiery delivery from Josh Little. It was the second ball of the ninth over. Part of the reason behind Sharma’s injury was the unpredictability of the pitch. Apart from Sharma, Rishabh Pant was also struck by an energised Josh Little delivery in the 11th over.
No major injuries for Team India captain Rohit Sharma 💙 pic.twitter.com/vL08Za08Y2
— CricTracker (@Cricketracker) June 5, 2024
The uneven bounce on the pitch has been a headache for the batsmen this year at the World Cup. Furthermore, the drop-in pitch at Nassau County Cricket Stadium has faced a lot of criticism due to the hasty nature in which it was made. Added with a funny bounce, teams also have to deal with a sluggish outfield, which has considerably slowed down the scoring rate.
I was hit yesterday but it seems to be fine now. There was a little bruise but it is absolutely fine now: Indian Captain Rohit Sharma on his injury during the practice session ahead of the Semi-Final match against England
(File pic) pic.twitter.com/4JlAMGKhAE
— ANI (@ANI) November 9, 2022
“Yeah, just a little sore…”- Rohit Sharma
Rohit Sharma is one of the vital cogs in any team he plays for, and India wouldn’t like to miss its dynamic opening batter. The good news for India is that Rohit’s injury was not serious and he is fit to play the next game. When asked about the injury, Sharma remarked, “Yeah, just a little sore (the arm).”
Trying to sell the game in the states is great .. love it .. but for players to have to play on this sub standard surface in New York is unacceptable .. You work so hard to make it to the WC then have to play on this .. #INDvIRE
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) June 5, 2024
This is an excellent pitch in New York. Provided the idea was to get the American audience hooked on to Test cricket disguised as T20. #INDvIRE #T20WorldCup
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) June 5, 2024
India’s next task is to face their arch-rivals and ‘noisy’ neighbours, Pakistan in a high-octane match at the same ground on the 9th of June. Given the unpredictability of the pitch, even the Indian skipper feels that the pitch needs a lot of time to settle down. Furthermore, Sharma also feels perplexed that the unexpected bounce might also make the Playing XI and the shot selection jittery.
