India
Weather Forecast of India's series opener against Ireland. Photo Credit: Getty Images.

India will begin their preparation for the England tour when they square off against Ireland in the first of the two-match Twenty20 International series on June 27 (Wednesday) in Dublin.

Meanwhile, India had toured Ireland after a gap of 11 years, and Malahide’s Village is still sold out for the two T20Is. It will be India’s first T20I assignment since the Nidahas Trophy, and they have named a strong squad. Virat Kohli, who was in doubts to feature for the first T20Is to lead the side.

They have struggled to counter the swinging and overcast conditions in England in the past, and there is no better way to prepare than to get a few games under the belt, and there is no place more suitable than Ireland.

On the other hand, Ireland skipper Gary Wilson noted any team could beat anybody on a given day. Ireland had roped in India born, Simi Singh for the two-match series. Over the years, Simi has developed into a potent weapon for Ireland.

Image result for simi singh

Their batting quartet of Paul Stirling, Simi Singh, Andy Balbirnie and Kevin O’ Brien will be key in their quest to put up tall scores on a small ground. The experienced campaigner, William Porterfield, who missed the two T20I’s against Scotland will return to the playing XI.

Among the bowlers, Ireland may opt for Andy McBrine in place of Stuart Thompson.

For India, KL Rahul is likely to take the fourth spot after his recent exploits in the IPL. The team management will have to decide whether they will opt for an extra seamer in Umesh Yadav, who hasn’t played a T20I game since 2012. However, he has been in good form for the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL.

There’s also an injury cloud over Washington Sundar, who limped out of training after turning his ankle on a football.

Squad

Ireland: Gary Wilson (c), Stuart Poynter (wk), Paul Stirling, William Porterfield, James Shannon, Andrew Balbirnie, Simi Singh, Kevin O Brien, Stuart Thompson, George Dockrell, Peter Chase, Boyd Rankin, Joshua Little, Andy McBrine

India: Virat Kohli (c), MS Dhoni (wk), Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Lokesh Rahul, Suresh Raina, Hardik Pandya, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah, Manish Pandey, Dinesh Karthik, Washington Sundar, Siddarth Kaul, Umesh Yadav

Form guide

Ireland TWLLL (last five completed matches, most recent first)
India WWWWL

Pitch and conditions

According to the weather report, the sky is likely to remain clear. However, you have to brave to believe it. The ground is small, and the surface is likely to be a batsman-friendly. Expect batsmen from both sides to have fun then.

Stats and trivia

  • These team’s only T20I meet-up – at the 2009 T20 World Cup – went in India’s favour. Gary Wilson, Kevin O’Brien and William Porterfield were part of that Ireland defeat.
  • It will be the first time Malahide will be a hosting a T20I fixture between two Full Members.

Also Read: Rashid Khan wishes David Warner ahead of the Global T20 League in Canada

I am an accountant by qualification, my parents thought their obedient son would study further to become a CA, but I had other things in mind. An ardent Cricket fan is following his passion and making...