In the first T20 international between Ireland and India, Bhuvneshwar Kumar claimed figures of 1/16 and in the process, became the highest wicket-taker in the powerplay in T20Is. His dismissal of Andrew Balbirnie was his 34th wicket in the powerplay. These 34 wickets have come at an impressive economy of 5.53.
In claiming 34 wickets, the Indian seamer has gone past West Indies leg-spinner Samuel Badree and New Zealand fast bowler Tim Southee, who have claimed 33 wickets each. Overall, Bhuvneshwar Kumar has 65 wickets from 65 T20Is at an economy rate of 6.91.
Most recently in the five-match T20I series against South Africa at home, Bhuvneshwar became the first Indian fast to have won more than one Player of the Series award in T20Is. Earlier, he bagged the award in the 2018 T20I series in South Africa.
India won the first T20I against Ireland comprehensively. Rains curtailed the match to 12-over per side, with India chasing down a target of 110 comfortably. Deepak Hooda, who opened the batting alongside Ishan Kishan, scored an unbeaten 47 to guide India to a comfortable chase. The second T20I will be played at the same venue – Dublin – on June 28.
