IRE vs IND: 5 Indian Players who can get picked for England T20Is

The two-match T20I series in Dublin between Ireland and India, although passed by in a jiffy, was thoroughly entertaining while it lasted. It was played at a blistering pace, as the combined run rate of both the matches touched close to 11 runs per over.

India clinched the series by 2-0 on June 28, Tuesday, but the Irish team were highly competitive and made the visitors work for their victories until the very end. India came into the series with a new captain, Hardik Pandya, in the absence of some of the senior players. A lot of new and young faces made their way into the squad with a lot of expectations, with a number of eyes on them, waiting to see them on the field with anticipation.

In the end, while some players impressed us all with their performances, others still wait to get off the mark and do justice to their selection in the Indian team. The next in line for India in T20Is is a three-match away series against England, starting on July 7. And undoubtedly, the top performers from the Ireland series have brought themselves into contention for a place in the team for the next series.

Here are five Indian players who can get picked for the T20I series against England:

1. Deepak Hooda

Hooda came into the playing XI with a point to prove after not breaking into the team sheet in the five-match home T20I series against South Africa. Also, in the three matches that he had appeared in, prior to this series, he got the opportunity to bat only in one innings where he scored 21.

Against Ireland, he scored an unbeaten 47 off 29 balls in the first match and saw off the chase, after opening the innings. In the second, match, he arrived at number three and scored a spectacular century. He was dismissed for 104 runs off 57 balls in the 18th over by Joshua Little.

Hooda’s ton helped India set up a strong total of 225, which the team defended. Unsurprisingly, he was named the Man of the Match and also the Man of the Series.

2. Avesh Khan

The tall fast bowler from Madhya Pradesh is gradually making a mark in the international circuit with his ability to bowl with bounce and carry, along with some swing. This could especially come in handy on wickets in Australia, where the upcoming T20 World Cup is set to take place.

In the Ireland series, he only played in the first match, presumably making way for Harshal Patel in the second. He did not have the best of outings in the game as he ended with figures of one wicket for 22 runs in two overs.

But in his last spell against South Africa in Rajkot, Khan had put up a match-winning performance, picking up four wickets for only 18 runs. He also had a decent Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022, as he bagged 18 wickets in 13 matches.

3. Sanju Samson

Samson is a talented batter who has struggled to maintain consistency. His 2022 season in the Indian Premier League (IPL) pretty much sums up the kind of batter he is. His average of 28.63 batting in the IPL 2022 may not be spectacular for a top-three batter.

But scoring 458 runs in 17 matches with a strike rate of 146.79 shows what he is capable of. Samson is known for his strength and the ease at which he can clear the boundary ropes. When he gets going, he can stay at the crease for long and assure that the team makes a big total.

In the second T20I against Ireland, he scored an entertaining 77 runs off 42 balls, while opening the innings. He, along with Hooda, added 176 runs for the second wicket and ensured a match-winning total for India.

4. Harshal Patel

Patel is currently India’s one of the go-to bowlers for the death overs. Also, he occasionally bowls in the powerplay when the team is in search of quick wickets. He is known for his subtle variations, deceptive slower balls and effective off-cutters.

Patel was the highest wicket-taker in the recently concluded series against the Proteas with seven wickets in four innings at an economy rate of 7.23. He has also been one of the most prolific bowlers in the last two IPL with 51 wickets in 30 matches.

However, Patel had a forgettable game in the second T20I against Ireland as he conceded 54 runs and picked up one wicket in his four overs. He might have a point to prove in the England series.

5. Ishan Kishan

Kishan has been one of the finds of the season for India for the opening and wicketkeeping slot. He has been prolific with the bat and also has a very healthy strike rate batting up the order.

Since his debut in 2021, he has scored 524 runs in 17 matches at an average of 32.75 and a strike rate of 134.01. He was also the top scorer in the South Africa series with 206 runs in five matches at a strike rate of 150.36.

However, Kishan, was not quite up to his regular standards, scoring only 26 in the first T20I and 3 in the second T20I. But, given his overall form, he may have done enough to earn a spot in the team for the next series.