Little off to winning start making history in India

Josh Little made a winning start on his Indian Premier League debut in Ahmedabad where the Dubliner became the first Ireland international to compete in the prestigious Twenty20 tournament.

Playing for the Gujarat Titans, Little contributed with a wicket in the victory over the Chennai Super Kings at the Narendra Modi Stadium.

In what was the opening game of this year's IPL competition, the Titans won by five wickets, having successfully chased down the Super Kings’ tally of 178 for seven off their 20 overs.

Little bowled all four of his regulation overs and while he was hit for 15 in his opening effort facing India international Ruturaj Gaikwad and England all-rounder Moeen Ali, he bounced back to take the wicket of Ambati Rayudu with a devastating delivery to evade the advancing former India batter.

The Ireland bowler ended up with figures of one for 41 in a spell that included 10 dot balls.

Little became the first Ireland cricketer to be bought in the IPL auction in December, costing the reigning champions 4.4 Crore (appox €500,000).

Dubliner Eoin Morgan has also played in the lucrative event; however, it was during the time that he had switched international allegiances to England, having previously played for Ireland.

This year’s edition of the IPL runs from 31 March to 28 May, which means that Little is missing out on the remaining Ireland tour in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.