IRE vs IND: 2nd T20I, Preview- India look to continue their dominance amidst experimentation

After a dominating performance in the opening T20I at the Malahide Cricket Ground, India are oozing with confidence. Their journey of the United Kingdom (UK) started in an emphatic fashion. Their batsmen looked in stupendous touch and at a venue where the dimensions of the boundaries aren’t intimidating, they took the hapless Irish bowlers to the cleaners.

The jaw-dropping display of artwork by the wrist-spinners was an icing on the cake. Ireland, on the other hand, clearly looked short of experience. The hosts tried their hearts out to restrict Virat Kohli and Co, but most of their tactics drooped. James Shannon and Peter Chase’s show were the only bright spots for them. Meanwhile, the Indian captain has put forth their strategy to experiment in the T20I format.

Therefore, it won’t be surprising if they resort to making quite a few changes for the next match. The conditions aren’t expected to alter much and another high-scoring encounter can be expected. Most importantly, the Men in Blue will be aiming to win the match and go into their upcoming T20I series against England in a positive frame of mind.

Toss: Ireland won the toss and elected to bowl first

India (Playing XI): Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Virat Kohli(c), Suresh Raina, Manish Pandey, Dinesh Karthik(w), Hardik Pandya, Kuldeep Yadav, Umesh Yadav, Siddarth Kaul, Yuzvendra Chahal

IN: KL Rahul, Siddarth Kaul, Umesh Yadav, Dinesh Karthik. OUT: Shikhar Dhawan, MS Dhoni, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah

Ireland (Playing XI): Paul Stirling, James Shannon, William Porterfield, Andrew Balbirnie, Gary Wilson(w/c), Simi Singh, Kevin O Brien, Stuart Thompson, George Dockrell, Boyd Rankin, Peter Chase

IN: William Porterfield. OUT: Stuart Poynter

Team Combination

Ireland

Ireland don’t have many choices and they will remain unchanged. Paul Stirling and James Shannon are the openers. Stirling, who couldn’t do well in the first match, would want to make amends. Andrew Balbirnie and Poynter would like to make contributions along with skipper Gary Wilson, who failed to make an impact last time around. A lot would depend on Simi Singh as well.

Peter Chase, with four wickets, was their standout player and he has to replicate his show in the second contest provided Ireland are to turn the tables on Kohli’s men. Boyd Rankin and Stuart Thompson are the other medium pacers. George Dockrell is the lone specialist spinner. Singh bowled only one over and he would be keen to perform in every department.

India

India may make a couple of changes. Shikhar Dhawan, who scored a half century last time, may make way for KL Rahul at the top of the order. Manish Pandey didn’t get a bat and would like a chance to show his skills. The onus will also be on Virat to score some runs ahead of the England series. Rohit Sharma’s role as an opener remains to be vital for the Men in Blue.

The management was also want to rope in Siddarth Kaul and give Jasprit Bumrah a break. Kaul will partner Bhuvneshwar Kumar in the fast-bowling department. There is also a chance that Umesh Yadav gets a game. Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav are the wrist spinners and they would be keen to carry on with their rich vein of form. Hardik Pandya also needs to bring forth his all-round abilities to the fore.

Players to watch out for

Gary Wilson- Ireland

Wilson strained both as a captain and as a leader to motivate his team the other night. He couldn’t read Chahal’s googly and was dismissed for a mere five runs. His leadership abilities were also put to test by the might of Virat’s men. In the second match, the Irish skipper has to motivate his team in order for the team to put up a strong show.

Virat Kohli- India

Kohli batted at number six in the batting lineup and came to bat in the last over. He tried to accelerate, but Peter Chase accounted for his dismissal. It was also a rare occasion when Virat was dismissed for a duck. Kohli had a poor tour of England last time and a good score in the next match will keep him in good stead ahead of the important series.

Stat Attack

17 – Virat Kohli has scored 1983 runs in T20I cricket thus far. He needs 17 more runs to become the 3rd player after Martin Guptill and Brendon McCullum to score 2000 runs in Men’s T20I cricket.

50.07 – KL Rahul’s batting average in the Twenty20 format in 2018. He has scored 701 runs in 16 innings with the help of six fifties in T20s in 2018. No other player has scored more than 600 T20 runs at an average of 50 this year.

Head to Head

Played– 2, Ireland- 0, India- 2, Tie/NR- 0

Broadcast details– Sony Six, Sony Six HD

Live streaming– Sony LIV

Match Timings: 20:30 IST, 15:00 GMT

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