*IRELAND VS INDIA 1st T20I 2023 PREVIEW*
*THE BUILD UP:*
It’s not just a bilateral series, it is the start of something special- something that will be cherished in times to come- the return of India’s spearhead Jasprit Bumrah. He has been out of action since the last six months and it would only be fitting if he leads the series upon his comeback. The veteran pacer, who has been a force to deal with, ever since his debut has had a tough time offlate with the rehabilitation process taking like forever for him to get back to action but his return onto the cricket field tomorrow should be a lottery ticket for India right before the Asia Cup and the World Cup to follow it, right after.
Barring the news of Bumrah, India have some fresh faces coming in with cricketers who impressed with their IPL numbers, making the cut. The likes of Rinku Singh, Jitesh Sharma and the comeback of Dube boasts well for the kind of Indian talent that is available in the circuit. All will be super eager to make the entire India show their prowess on the biggest stage, just like how Tilak Verma the left handed batter has been able to.
Ireland on the other hand, have a golden chance to bring out their A game and see their side through against an Indian XI which is experimenting. We saw recently how India lost to Windies despite having some of the best T20 players and taking the inspiration from them, Ireland should look to upset the visitors who would be keen upon thrashing them left right and centre.
*IRELAND PROBABLE XI:*
Andrew Balbirnie, Paul Stirling (c), Lorcan Tucker, Harry Tector, George Dockrell, Gareth Delany, Curtis Campher, Mark Adair, Joshua Little, Barry McCarthy, Benjamin White
Curtis Campher is a serious allrounder. Over the last few years, he has been the limelight of this team- chipping in with handy contributions lower down the order and getting big wickets as well. India are a passionate cricket side which Curtis would like to dominate and to be able to dominate them on your own turf with conditions expected to favour him, would make things worth viewing.
The most experienced partnership of Balbirnie and Stirling at the top has been inconsistent and unstable. They have performed with utmost grace on some occasions but have failed to come up with the goods on a regular basis. The seniors will have to come to the party against a strong Indian attack. The batting needs to be in good shape if Ireland are to give some competition otherwise we can expect the Indian bowlers to roll over them.
*INDIA PROBABLE XI:*
Ruturaj Gaikwad, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sanju Samson (wk), Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh, Shivam Dube, Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah (c), Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Mukesh Kumar
Bumrah’s footage, bowling at the nets, to some of the batters was life threatening. He looked like a deadly weapon and it goes without saying that the fans would be expecting some toe crushing Yorkers and some bouncers to the Irish batters. I can already sense shivering. It would be looked closely upon, as to how the Indian player, performs on his return and what speeds he is comfortable while bowling.
Expect Rinku Singh, who has been on everybody’s lips lately, to come strong and make the cut. What I like about him is his ability to play the situation yet play proactively. The 25 year old has shown his maturity during chases at the IPL and it’s a good starting point for somebody who is just breaking into the setup. The lad has shown promise and I have huge expectations from him this series if he makes his debut.
The Irish pitches with rain likely to play a role should aid swing and India have the perfect duo of Mukesh and Arshdeep, two swing bowlers who bowl in the mid 130s to have a roll. Ireland are a good side at home and last time when India visited, they nearly defeated them in one of the games- taking that confidence forward, the Irish wouldn’t back down from tackling India’s pace troika.
*MY PREDICTIONS:*
*FOR IRELAND:*
Highest run getter- Paul Stirling/Harry Tector
Highest wicket taker- Mark Adair/Joshua Little
*FOR INDIA:*
Highest run getter- Yashasvi Jaiswal/Rinku Singh
Highest wicket taker- Arshdeep Singh/Jasprit Bumrah
*FOR THIS GAME:*
India to win