The inaugural T20 match of India’s 2023 tour of Ireland is slated to take place on Friday, August 18th, 2023, at The Village in Dublin.

Following a surprising loss to West Indies in a five-match T20 series, Team India is embarking on a brief tour to Ireland, encompassing three T20 matches. This setback marks the first instance in the last twelve years that India has faced defeat in a bilateral series against West Indies. In an effort to restore the confidence of their fans, Team India is determined to make a triumphant return.

Ireland, displaying significant advancements in their T20 cricket prowess, poses a formidable challenge for India on their home turf. Notably, several key players from the Irish team are currently in exceptional form, suggesting that India, one of the dominant forces in T20 cricket, won’t find it a straightforward task to emerge victorious. As this series unfolds, we anticipate a spirited competition, with Ireland’s potent lineup expected to give India a run for their money.

With limited exposure against established test-playing nations, Ireland’s cricket history had been relatively sparse. Nonetheless, they showcased commendable prowess in the ICC World Cup Europe Qualifiers, clinching victory in four out of five matches. The upcoming series against India represents a substantial trial for Ireland, an arena where their skills will be thoroughly examined. This venture also presents a valuable chance for the home team to gain invaluable experience while pitted against formidable opponents like India.

Ireland’s batting lineup exudes strength, particularly in the upper and middle order, boasting considerable firepower. The responsibility of orchestrating the batting strategy falls upon Paul Stirling, a seasoned campaigner who has garnered a wealth of experience from various cricket leagues. Anticipations run high for his performance in this home series, given his track record.

Andrew Balbirnie, another seasoned campaigner in the shorter format, carries a commendable record in home conditions. His proficiency is expected to shine through in this series against India. Complementing him in the middle batting order are Lorcan Tucker and Harry Tector, both of whom have demonstrated commendable form in recent outings, fueling optimism for their standout performances in this series.

Guiding the lower batting order of Ireland will be George Dockrell and Curtis Campher. In this lineup, Mark Adair stands out due to his current good form, positioning him as a potential leading run-scorer in the series. Tasked with bolstering the bowling unit is Joshua Little, who showcased his mettle in the recent edition of The Hundred League.

India’s recent performance against West Indies has left them thoroughly disappointed. Their lackluster showing in the initial matches stands out as the primary factor contributing to their series loss. In the realm of T20 cricket, India is embracing a fresh ensemble of cricketers, including emerging talents like Tilak Verma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Arshdeep Singh, Mukesh Kumar, Avesh Khan, and Sanju Samson. These individuals have showcased their prowess, leaving no doubt that the future of Team India is exceptionally promising. Joining this wave of new blood are other budding players like Prasidh Krishna, Jitesh Sharma, Shahbaz Khan, and Rinku Singh, further fortifying the team’s lineup. It is anticipated that two additional Indian players will make their T20 debut in this forthcoming series.

India’s batting foundation finds its roots in the performances of Tilak Verma and Yashasvi Jaiswal. Verma’s recent displays in the series against West Indies were commendable, as he emerged as one of the top run-scorers in the series. On the other hand, while Jaiswal demonstrated his skills during the ODI series, his T20 performance lacked the same impact, with a solitary half-century across three matches. Jitesh Sharma and Rinku Singh, both included in the squad, are expected to mark their debuts during this series.

An exciting development for Team India is the return of Jasprit Bumrah to the fold. His comeback carries significant weight, especially as he is set to lead India’s bowling unit in the Asia Cup and the ICC Men’s ODI World Cup. Observing his performance will undoubtedly be a focal point for fans and cricket enthusiasts alike.

To date, Ireland has participated in a cumulative 152 T20 matches. Out of these, they have secured victory in 65 encounters, while their opponents have emerged triumphant in 79 matches. Additionally, there have been 7 instances where the matches concluded with no definitive result, and one match concluded in a tie.

Currently, India boasts a T20 International record of 204 matches, out of which they have clinched victory in 132 contests. They faced defeat in 66 matches, while the outcome of 5 matches remains undetermined. Furthermore, one match concluded in a tie.

In the five T20 matches held between Ireland and India, Ireland has yet to secure a victory, while India has emerged triumphant in all five encounters.

Based on match predictions, India holds the position of the favored team for this upcoming match. The factors contributing to India’s favored status are outlined below:

1. India boasts a superior level of strength and experience in comparison to Ireland.
2. The batting lineup of Team India stands as a formidable force.
3. India has maintained an unbroken winning streak against Ireland in their previous matches.
4. Acknowledging Ireland’s commendable past performances.
5. The performance of Jasprit Bumrah in this series is anticipated with keen interest.

With a robust batting lineup and a formidable bowling unit, India holds a distinct advantage over Ireland. Furthermore, considering that the match is taking place on India’s home turf, their prospects of emerging victorious have significantly improved. The probabilities of each team winning today’s match are outlined as follows:

India: 70% chance of winning
Ireland: 30% chance of winning

The outcome of the toss is poised to exert a significant influence on the outcome of this match. As per toss predictions, the team that emerges victorious in the toss might opt to bat first.

The inaugural T20 match featuring Ireland and India is scheduled to take place at The Village in Dublin. The pitch at this venue is notably conducive to batting performances. The stadium’s compact boundaries are expected to bring spinners into the spotlight. The batting-friendly conditions are projected to persist throughout the match. In terms of a defendable score, aiming for a total of around 280 could be considered advantageous.

The weather outlook for match day in Dublin does not bode well for a cricket encounter. There are indications of potential rain, which could lead to interruptions during the match.

Ireland: Balbirnie, Paul Stirling (c), Lorcan Tucker, Harry Tector, George Dockrell, Gareth Delany, Curtis Campher, Mark Adair, Joshua Little, Barry McCarthy, Benjamin White.

India: Ruturaj Gaikwad, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sanju Samson (wk), Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh, Shivam Dube, Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah (c), Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Mukesh Kumar.

Captain: Y Jaiswal
Vice-Captain: C Campher
Lorcan Tucker, Paul Stirling, Tilak Varma, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Rinku Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, J Little, Arshdeep Singh, Mark Adair

• Date: Friday, 18th August 2023
• Time: 02:00 PM GMT / 03:00 PM LOCAL / 07:30 PM IST

• Stadium: The Village
• Location: Dublin, Ireland
• Ends: Dublin Road End, Castle End
• Time Zone: UTC +01:00
• Home to: Ireland

• Total matches: 21
• Matches won batting first: 8
• Matches won bowling first: 13
• Average 1st Inns scores: 151
• Average 2nd Inns scores: 137
• Highest total recorded: 252/3 (20 Ov) by SCO vs NED
• Lowest total recorded: 70/10 (12.3 Ov) by IRE vs IND
• The highest score chased: 194/6 (17.4 Ov) by IRE vs SCO
• The lowest score defended: 129/8 (20 Ov) by HK vs IRE

Paul Stirling (c), Lorcan Tucker (wk), Andrew Balbirnie, Harry Tector, Gareth Delany, Curtis Campher, George Dockrell, Mark Adair, Barry McCarthy, Joshua Little, Benjamin White, Fionn Hand, Craig Young, Theo van Woerkom, Ross Adair.