Ireland suffer eight-wicket defeat to favourites India in T20 World Cup opener

Ireland opened their ICC T20 World Cup campaign with an eight-wicket defeat to favourites India at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York.

India captain Rohit Sharma, who dismissed his injury scare, paved the way for their comfortable win with 52 off 37 balls before retiring hurt with 21 needed after being struck on the upper arm by Josh Little.

However, in his post-match interview he played down the injury, saying it was "just a little sore".

On Monday, Sri Lanka were bowled out for 77 on the drop-in pitch at the temporary Nassau County venue and the playing surface continued to cause problems for both teams.

Ireland performed marginally better than that but their 96 all out was never likely to trouble India, even if the pitch continued to be difficult with Rishabh Pant hit on the elbow in his innings of 36 not out before he finished the game in style with a reverse scoop for six.

Sharma was put down by Andy Balbirinie at second slip in the first over of their reply but continued to be aggressive throughout, hitting three sixes and four fours.

Virat Kohli was looking for the half-century to equal the record for most 50-plus scores in T20 internationals but was outshone early on by Sharma and was out cheaply upper-cutting Mark Adair to third man.

But India, who made 182 against Bangladesh on this pitch at the weekend, had little trouble in reaching their target with nearly eight overs to spare.

Ireland struggled on a surface helpful to bowlers, losing both openers in the third over with Paul Stirling skying one to wicketkeeper Pant and Balbirnie missed an inswinger from left-armer Arshdeep Singh.

Lorcan Tucker was bowled through the gate by a Hardik Pandya inswinger before Harry Tector gloved a short ball