IRE vs IND | Bhuvneshwar creates new record of most wickets in powerplay in T20I history

Senior India fast bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar has recorded the most wickets in the powerplay overs in the history of the game’s shortest format.

The pacer achieved this feat during the first T20I against Ireland in Dublin on Sunday (June 26). He dismissed opponent skipper Andrew Balbirnie on the fifth delivery of the innings to register his 34th powerplay wicket in T20Is and surpass former West Indies spinner Samuel Badree and New Zealand pacer Tim Southee who have claimed 33 wickets each.

Kumar’s 34 T20I wickets in 134 powerplay overs have come in 62 innings and at an economy rate of 5.53. In all, he has 65 wickets in as many T20Is at an average of 24.01, a strike rate of 20.08 and economy of 6.91.

India are currently in Ireland to play two T20Is against the hosts. With most of the senior players in England for the one-off Test, the squad for the Ireland series is mostly composed of the youngsters. 

In Ireland, Hardik Pandya is at the helm of the team in the absence of Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul. The full-time skipper is in England, whereas KL Rahul is nursing an injury.

In the first T20I, India won the match comprehensively after chasing down a target of 109 runs in a 12-over per side rain-curtailed match. Deepak Hooda, who opened the innings alongside Ishan Kishan, scored a 29-ball 47 not out to help India seal a seven-wicket win after an unbeaten knock of 64 by Harry Tector took the hosts to a total of 108 runs. 

Hooda, who enjoyed a good IPL season with Lucknow Super Giants, hit six fours and two sixes in his match-winning knock.

With this win, India have taken a 1-0 lead in the two-match series. The second T20I will be played on Tuesday at the same venue.