India- Ireland 1st T20I: Preview, Probable XIs, Pitch Report, Match Details and Updates

Team India has set its sight on the upcoming Ireland tour after a 2-2 series draw with South Africa at home. The Test team has reached England for their solo Test match, while the white ball team has gone to Ireland for a two-match T20I series in Ireland.

The first match of the India- Ireland T20I series is scheduled to be played on 26th June 2022. Let’s look at the important details for the upcoming match.

Team News:

India:

The Indian team will be led by Hardik Pandya after Rishabh Pant was called for the England Test. Hardik has impressed everyone with his captaincy skills in the recently concluded Indian T20 League where he took the debutant franchise Gujarat all the way to the Indian T20 Trophy.

Ishan Kishan, the costliest purchase in this year’s Indian T20 League, regained form in the India-South Africa series and would be looking to build on it against Ireland as well. Suryakumar Yadav makes his entry to the team after being sidelined with an injury and Rahul Tripathi has also been given a place.

Players to Watch out for:

1. Hardik Pandya

This would be the first chance to showcase his captaincy skills on the international stage for the resurgent Pandya. Not just his captaincy but his all-around performance would also be on display for everyone to see.

2. Dinesh Karthik

The wicketkeeper batter has made a great comeback to the Indian side after being in and out of it due to a lack of place. Now the veteran batter is in the form of his life and cannot be kept out. Having played match-winning knocks in the Indian T20 League as well as the recently concluded India- South Africa, Karthik would be looking to stamp his authority on a place for the 20-20 World Cup later this year.

3. Suryakumar Yadav

Having made his comeback to the team after a long time, eyes will be on Yadav to see whether he is at his usual best or not.

India Probable XI: Ishan Kishan, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Suryakumar Yadav, Rahul Tripathi, Hardik Pandya (c), Dinesh Karthik (wk), Axar Patel, Harshal Patel, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Avesh Khan

Ireland:

The Ireland team has named a strong squad for the T20I series against India. Top-order batter Stephen Doheny has been given a call-up as does pacer Conor Olphert. Andrew Balbirnie will lead the side, while Paul Sterling also remains an integral part of the team.

Players to Watch out for:

1. Andrew Balbirnie

The Irish batter is currently in a rich vein of form, having made 236 runs in eight matches, with an average of 33.71. The captain would be looking to give a good start to the Irish innings.

2. Paul Stirling

Ireland's most senior player in the team, Sterling has made 2776 runs in 102 T20Is with an average of around 30. He also has an impressive strike rate of 134.69 and a top score of 115*. The opener would be the Indian bowler’s biggest challenge.

3. George Dockrell

With an international experience of over 12 years, Dockrell would be tasked with controlling Indian batters. Having taken 76 wickets in T20I, the spinner is perfectly able to do that and would be a good challenge to the Indian team.

Ireland Probable XI: Andrew Balbirnie (c), Paul Stirling, Stephen Doheny, Gareth Delany, Curtis Campher, Lorcan Tucker (wk), George Dockrell, Mark Adair, Andrew McBrine, Conor Olphert, Josh Little

India vs Ireland Head-to-Head:

Played- 3 | Ireland- 0 | India- 3 | No Result – 0 |

Match Details:

Date: 26th June 2022

Time: 9 PM IST

Venue: Castle Avenue, Dublin

TV and Live Streaming: Sony Sports Network and Sony Liv App