IND vs IRE: India's Predicted Playing XI Against Ireland, 1st T20I

India plays Ireland in a two-match T20I series ahead of their full-fledged series against England. The first of the two matches will be played in Dublin on Sunday, May 26. This is India’s second trip to Ireland after their first in 2018. Back then they won the T20I series 2-0.

The BCCI announced a 17-member squad which will be led by Hardik Pandya. Bhuvneshwar Kumar will be Hardik’s deputy in the series. Many players have been retained in the squad from the South Africa series. The squad, however, misses their senior players who are playing a warm-up match ahead of their one-off Test against England.

Rahul Tripathi after his consistent performances in the IPL has earned his maiden India call-up. Another young prospect, Umran Malik is expected to make his debut.

This series is all about getting opportunities and making a statement in these two games for the T20 World Cup later this year. In this article, we pick India’s best playing Xi for the first T20I against Ireland. Both Tripathi and Malik can make their debuts in this game.

IND vs IRE: India’s Predicted Playing XI Against Ireland, 1st T20I

Rahul Tripathi

Tripathi can straightaway make his T20I debut against Ireland. He can replace Ruturaj Gaikwad in the playing Xi who scored just one fifty-plus score in the five matches. Tripathi can bat anywhere from one to four but he should be given the option to open in his debut T20I.

Also Read: IRE vs IND: 3 Indian Players Who Can Make Their Debut Against Ireland In The T20I Series

Ishan Kishan

Kishan was the top scorer in the South Africa series with 206 runs from five matches. He should ideally open the innings with Tripathi in the two matches against Ireland.

Suryakumar Yadav

SKY is back in the Indian team and should be back at batting at number three. The Indian batter missed the series against South Africa with an injury. He should be in India”s plans for the T20 World Cup as well.

Hardik Pandya (C)

Pandya as the skipper of the side should bat at number four. This will give him enough time to pace his innings in case wickets fall early. His finishing skills were on show in the South Africa series.

Sanju Samson

Sanju Samson can be given a chance to play both matches. He too Rajasthan Royals to the final of IPL 2022 and batted brilliantly for his side, This is another big opportunity for Samson to prove himself.

Venkatesh Iyer

Venkatesh Iyer can be given the two games against Ireland. He along with some other payers missed all the five matches against South Africa. He can open the batting and also bat in the middle-order. Overs from him are a bonus as well.

Dinesh Karthik (WK)

Karthik scored his maiden T20I fifty in the last series against South Africa. He slots in at number seven as the designated finisher in the side. This is another opportunity for him to make a case for his selection in India’s T20 World Cup squad.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar

Bhuvi will lead the Indian pacer attack. He recently played the T20Iseries against South Africa and ended with six wickets from five matches.

Harshal Patel

Patel can be the second seamer in the playing XI. He was India’s highest wicket-taker in the South Africa series with seven wickets from five matches. He can contribute with the bat too.

Umran Malik

There is a lot of talk about Umran Malik making his India debut in this series. He should be given these two games to get used to playing international cricket before the T20 World Cup.

Yuzvendra Chahal

Chahal will be the specialist spinner in India’s playing XI for the first T20I against Ireland. This looks like the best-balanced team heading into the first game of the series.

Also Read: IND vs IRE: India Should Give Umran Malik, Arshdeep Singh Taste Of International Cricket – WV Raman