India won a low-scoring thriller against Pakistan in their Group A 2024 World Cup fixture at the Nassau County Stadium in New York on Sunday (June 9).
The blockbuster match had its ebbs and flows, but India held their nerves to defend 119 successfully, the lowest total defended by them ever in a T20I. Their previous best was against Zimbabwe in 2016, when they defended 138-6.
At one point, Pakistan were comfortably placed after 14 overs, needing 40 off 36 balls with seven wickets in hand. Jasprit Bumrah was the driving force behind India’s comeback as he dismissed a set Mohammad Rizwan for a 44-ball 31. The run flow dried up, and others chipped in to put a stranglehold. An economical 16th and 17th over from Axar Patel and Hardik Pandya, respectively, shot up the asking rate for Pakistan, who needed 30 from the last three overs.
With 18 needed off the last over, Arshdeep dismissed a struggling Imad Wasim (15 off 23) off the very first ball and restricted Pakistan to six runs away from the target.
India would gain immense confidence from the win, given they suffered an epic collapse earlier, losing their last seven wickets for 30 runs. Bumrah was the Player of the Match for his 3-14 off four overs.
While former England captain Michael Vaughan reckoned the match to be one for the ages on the two-paced New York pitch, universal praises for India's bowling performance poured in.
Here's how people reacted after the match:
Sometimes really poor pitches produce the best games .. this was one of them .. Pakistan just don’t believe they can win .. Simple as that .. #INDvsPAK
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) June 9, 2024
This is the FIRST time India won a men's T20I despite being all out.#INDvPAK pic.twitter.com/lZm3E2K6P4
— Kausthub Gudipati (@kaustats) June 9, 2024
Unbelievable result. That was bowling of the highest class at the end. This match was gone. The bowlers pulled it back. #IndVsPak
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) June 9, 2024
Few dominations never change! A remarkable performance to defend such a total. It was a very difficult wicket to bat on but the bowlers did a phenomenal job. And yes, @RishabhPant17 has been brilliant and deserves a special mention! Jai ho! Well done #TeamIndia!! 🇮🇳🏏#INDvsPAK pic.twitter.com/3eBzSM1RYb
— MANOJ TIWARY (@tiwarymanoj) June 9, 2024
119 is the lowest total ever defended by India in men’s T20Is. Full credit to their bowlers no matter how difficult the conditions were for batting. Jasprit Bumrah once again shows he is India’s biggest match-winner.
— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) June 9, 2024
So many statues in this country, can’t Jasprit Bumrah have one?
— Abhishek Mukherjee (@ovshake42) June 9, 2024
India vs Pakistan. New continent, same result 😛
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) June 9, 2024
T20 may be a batters’ game, but in New York, bowlers were the Apple of our eyes today.
What a thrilling match! Great atmosphere and a wonderful exhibition of our great game in America. Well played, India 🇮🇳 😊#INDvPAK… pic.twitter.com/tdVVREclVp
Bumrah and co snatching win from Pakistan #INDvPAK #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/vKaXvgahgV
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) June 9, 2024
Subscribe to the Wisden Cricket YouTube channel for post-match analysis, player interviews, and much more.
