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Ireland vs India First T20I Tips - Home side could stretch the visitors

By Sridhar Bhamidi

16 Aug 2023

Sridhar Bhamidi 16 Aug 2023

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Ireland vs India First T20I predictions to be played at The Village in Malahide on Friday night, Indian time
Ireland have lost 4 of their last 5 T20Is played at this venue
Ireland beat the handicap of 6.5 wickets or 33.5 runs in 5 of their last 6 T20Is at this venue
India have lost 3 of their last 5 T20Is
Can Ireland surprise India in the first T20I?

Can the Irish surprise India? (Getty Images)

Ireland vs India First T20I

All eyes will be on the players returning from injury as India take on Ireland in a three-match T20I series. The first of the matches will be played at The Village in Dublin on Friday night, Indian time.

Ireland vs India First T20I
Head to Head
Ireland Form
Ireland Team News
India Form
India Team News

Ireland will start their preparations for the next year T20 World Cup with this match. On the other hand, India are likely to use this series as a launchpad for some of their ODI regulars to get back into the reckoning for the upcoming ODI World Cup. With motives glaringly different, both teams are unlikely to give each other a free run. I am backing Ireland to keep the game tight and beat the handicap of 6.5 wickets or 33.5 runs in the losing margin.

Ireland have lost 4 of their last 5 matches at this venue (T20Is)
Ireland beat the handicap of 6.5 wickets or 33.5 runs in 5 of their last 6 matches here (T20Is)
India have lost 3 of their last 5 matches (T20Is)
India have won each of their 5 matches against Ireland (T20Is)

Head to Head

There have been five T20Is played in all between Ireland and India. All matches have been won by India with four of those played at this venue. The last of those matches were played in June 2022.

Ireland Form

Ireland would be happy to get some preparation for the next year T20 World Cup, against quality opposition. The last time they played in this format was in July when they played in the T20 World Cup Europe Region Qualifier.

The Irish finished second to Scotland, while qualifying for the global tournament. Ireland will hope to improve their performance at this venue having lost eight of the ten T20Is they played here.

As for the side, they would be looking to get them in shape and balance for the World Cup.

Ireland Team News

Gareth Delany returned to the Irish side and will take Neil Rock’s place in the 15-man squad. Fionn Hand comes back into the side at the expense of Graham Hume.

India Form

India are coming off a 3-2 series defeat to West Indies, but this is a completely different outfit. In line with their approach to use the T20s as a launch pad for the ODIs, the visitors have sent a makeshift team.

Jasprit Bumrah returns after a long hiatus and is the captain of the side. Only seven members from the Caribbean tour are part of this team in Ireland for the Indians.

Other players are returning from injury absences like Prasidh Krishna, Washington Sundar and new ones like Rinku Singh trying to impress the selectors.

India Team News

The four players India might bench could be Ravi Bishnoi, Mukesh Kumar, Avesh Khan and Shahbaz Ahmed.

Ireland vs India First T20I FAQs

Where can I watch the Ireland vs India First T20I live stream?

Our live streaming calendar shows you where to watch the Ireland vs India First T20I live stream.

What time does Ireland vs India First T20I start?

This Ireland vs India First T20I will be played at The Vilalge in Malahide on August 18, Friday starting at 7:30pm IST.

Verdict

Ireland have never had any chance of extending their fight against India, let alone defeating them. Yet, this could be their best chance of doing that considering the changes that India have made to their squad. The players returning from injury are likely to be eager to impress while the other fringe players will be keen to impress. Either way, I am backing the home team to put up a good fight. Backing Ireland on the match handicap looks the best way.