Mother Nature had her say on Wednesday as the much-anticipated third and final T20 International between India and Ireland yielded no action, leaving fans and players disappointed. The hopes of witnessing emerging talents in action were quashed as rain intervened, preventing even a single ball from being bowled on the field.
India had already established their supremacy in the series with a convincing 2-0 lead, securing victory in the second T20I just days earlier. Even the opening match, which India managed to win by a narrow margin of two runs through the DLS method, couldn’t escape the grasp of rainfall.
As the day’s proceedings commenced, the anticipation of an exciting match was dampened when the toss was delayed due to the persistent rain. Despite multiple inspections, the umpires eventually had to make the difficult call to abandon the match, a decision that came three hours after the initially scheduled start time.
This T20I series carried significant importance due to the notable comebacks of pacers Jasprit Bumrah and Prasidh Krishna, both returning after undergoing back surgeries. However, their resilience and readiness for the upcoming challenges in the ODI Asia Cup, set to kick off on August 30, will remain uncertain due to the lack of game time in this washed-out encounter.
The third T20I has been abandoned due to rain and wet ground conditions. India win the series 2-0. #TeamIndia #IREvIND pic.twitter.com/sbp2kWYiiO
— BCCI (@BCCI) August 23, 2023
Stepping into leadership roles in the absence of senior players, Bumrah and his team of young cricketers had shifted their focus towards the ODI format, gearing up for the World Cup on home soil scheduled for October-November. This series also acted as a warm-up for the youthful squad, particularly in preparation for the Asian Games in China next month. The primary Indian team will be occupied with World Cup preparations during this time.
The series proved pivotal for several budding talents. Ruturaj Gaikwad, who is set to lead the Indian side in China, managed to make his mark by contributing with the bat in consecutive matches. Notably, he secured a fine half-century in the 33-run triumph on the previous Sunday.
Another highlight was the debut of IPL sensation Rinku Singh, who made an impact in the limited time he spent on the tour. Sanju Samson, seen as a potential backup to K L Rahul in the ODI format, showcased his prowess with a brisk 40 runs. However, his chances of securing a spot in the World Cup roster remain slim.
Shivam Dube’s return to the squad after an impressive IPL campaign was noteworthy. He demonstrated his dual abilities with both the bat and ball during the series, displaying his potential for contributing to the team’s success in the future.