‘We didn’t fail…’: Abhishek Sharma explains India’s shock defeat to Ireland

Abhishek Sharma (BCCI Photo) NEW DELHI: India opener Abhishek Sharma admitted his team failed to adapt to the conditions after Ireland stunned the reigning World T20 champions by 34 runs in the first T20I in Belfast on Friday.Despite scoring a blistering half-century, Abhishek could not prevent India from their first defeat against Ireland in any format. The loss also spelled disappointment for Shreyas Iyer’s captaincy as Ireland took a 1-0 lead in the two-match series.“We have to adapt really quickly”Abhishek said adapting quickly to the conditions is vital, especially when teams have very little time between matches.“How quickly we adapt to the conditions is really important as a team because when you play matches against each other, as a group you have to step forward and get used to the conditions, whenever you have training or you probably get used to it, I feel like a dominant team, you have to adapt really quickly and that’s what we tried to do today, but unfortunately it didn’t happen after the match,” Sharma told reporters.Ireland makes historyIreland posted a challenging 182/9 after skipper 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 collapsesChasing 183, India got off to a flying start as Abhishek struck from the first over. He slammed seven fours and two sixes to reach his fifty in just 19 balls before falling for 50 off just 20 deliveries.However, goals kept falling around him. Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan and skipper Shreyas Iyer failed to make an impact while Tilak Varma, Washington Sundar and Axar Patel were unable to build a partnership.Shivam Dube briefly revived India’s hopes with a quick-fire 25 off 16 balls, 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 for Ireland with three wickets each, while debutant Jai Moondra impressed with figures of 2/25.Series on the lineThe two teams meet again on Sunday in the second and final T20I, with India needing a win to avoid a series defeat after Ireland’s historic breakthrough win.