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IRE vs IND 1st T20I prediction: Match win, Dream11 and toss – 18/08/2023

IRE vs IND match prediction: IND to win

IRE vs IND toss prediction: IND to win the toss and bowl first

India and Ireland are all set to face each other in the three-match T20I series starting on August 18. The visitors have named a second-string squad for this series with an injury-returnee Jasprit Bumrah as captain of the side. All the eyes will be on him as his fitness is a major point of concern at the moment in Indian cricket with Asia Cup and World Cup on the horizon. Will Ireland be able to stun the inexperienced Indian side? Read below our IRE vs IND 1st T20I match prediction.

India are coming into this series on the back of a series loss at the hands of the West Indies. But only six players from that squad are part of this series. On the other hand, Ireland will be buoyed with the fact that they managed to qualify for the next year’s T20 World Cup and playing a team like India at this stage will keep them in good stead as well.

Nevertheless, they will have to keep playing good cricket, just like they did in the T20 World Cup qualifier in order to beat this talented Indian side.

IRE vs IND 1st T20I date & time: August 18, 7:30 PM IST
IRE vs IND 1st T20I venue: The Village, Dublin

Also Read: Jasprit Bumrah returns to captain India in Ireland T20Is

IRE vs IND 1st T20I match preview

Ireland

Ireland played some good cricket in the T20 World Cup qualifier and have won four out of their last five T20Is. The team is doing well under the leadership of veteran Paul Stirling. The middle-order batters like Lorcan Tucker, Harry Tector and Curtis Campher have been doing well and the onus will be on them especially in the post-powerplay overs. Also, with Gareth Delany back in the mix, he is expected to slot back into the playing XI right away.

Stirling and Andrew Balbirnie will open the innings while the all-rounder duo of George Dockrell and Mark Adair have the responsibility of finishing the innings strongly. The bowling attack, on the other hand, is led by Adair and Joshua Little (who played in IPL for Gujarat Titans this year) and will be supported by Ben White.

Ireland Possible 11: Andrew Balbirnie, Paul Stirling (C), Lorcan Tucker (WK), Harry Tector, Gareth Delany, Curtis Campher, George Dockrell, Mark Adair, Joshua Little, Barry McCarthy, Craig Young/Ben White.

India

For India, Ruturaj Gaikwad and Yashasvi Jaiswal are set to open the innings while Tilak Varma looks a prime candidate to bat at number four post the productive West Indies series. Sanju Samson is one of the most senior players in the squad and could take up the number three spot in the absence of Suryakumar Yadav. This could also be his last chance to stake claim not only for a World Cup but also the spot in the T20 squad.

Shivam Dube might bat at number five while there could be a toss-up between Rinku Singh and Jitesh Sharma for the finisher’s role. One of them is certain to make their T20I debut on Friday (August 18). Washington Sundar should take up the role of the all-rounder batting at seven and also bowl four overs off-spin.

Jasprit Bumrah, making his T20I captaincy debut, will lead the pace bowling attack with Arshdeep Singh and most probably Prasidh Krishna assisting him. Ravi Bishnoi is the only other specialist spinner in the squad who should make it to the playing XI unless conditions warrant for the fourth pacer and in that case, either Mukesh Kumar or Avesh Khan will get a chance.

India Playing 11: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Sanju Samson (WK), Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Jitesh Sharma/Rinku Singh, Washington Sundar, Arshdeep Singh, Ravi Bishnoi, Jasprit Bumrah (C), Prasidh Krishna

Pitch and Expected Weather Conditions

The Village in Dublin has hosted a total of 21 T20I matches so far and the bowling first sides have won 13 times. On 8 occasions, the team batting first has emerged victorious. This makes it clear that the pitch eases out considerably in the second half and chasing has to be preferred unless conditions are heavily in favour of bowlers due to overcast conditions. 151 is the average score batting first and should be looked at as a par score in the first T20I.

The batters will have to take their time early on before going for their shots. Most of the Indian players in the squad are playing for the first time in Ireland and they will have to be careful early on in the innings.

IRE vs IND 1st T20I Dream11 prediction

Our IRE vs IND Dream11 predictions for this match:

With most of the Indian players playing in Ireland for the first time, we cannot discount the Ireland cricketer completely in our Dream11 Fantasy team. Sanju Samson is a good option to have in the wicketkeeper section as he is expected to bat at three. If he is batting down the order, it is better to have Tucker in the team who will bat at three for Ireland.

Stirling and Tector are two of the best batters in the Ireland team and they have been picked in the batter section. Among Indian players, Ruturaj, Tilak and Jaiswal have been picked. This way, we will have India’s top four in our Fantasy team giving us the maximum chance to earn the most points. Jaiswal was one of the best batters for India in the West Indies while Tilak was the biggest positive on the Caribbean tour.

IRE vs IND 1st T20I
Photo by Icon sport

Among all-rounders, only Curtis Campher seems to be worthy given the way he bats and also delivers four overs with the ball. Among the bowlers, with not much help expected for spinners, it is only fair to pick pace bowlers. Here we have gone with Bumrah, Arshdeep, Little and Adair.

IRE vs IND 1st T20I match prediction: India to win

Our IRE vs IND match prediction is that the visitors led by Bumrah will win the match thanks to the quality they possess in their line-up. India have won all five T20Is so far against Ireland. Having said that, it won’t be easy for India as Ireland aren’t pushovers anymore, especially in the shortest format and will give their best in front of their home crowd.

IRE vs IND 1st T20I toss prediction: IND to win the toss and bowl first

Our IRE vs IND toss prediction: There is not much history when it comes to Jasprit Bumah’s captaincy as he has led India in only one Test so far. The venue is historically known to be a better chasing ground and we predict India to opt to bowl first after winning the toss.

Man of the match prediction: Tilak Varma

Tilak Varma seems to be a generational talent and his maturity was highlighted by many after looking at him in the West Indies T20Is. With a lot of confidence, the left-hander could be the game-changer for India if they lose early wickets which is likely given how inexperienced India’s openers are. In that case, Tilak can step up and play a big knock for the visitors.

IRE vs IND betting odds

As expected, the odds are in favour of India looking at their record against Ireland in the shortest form of the sport. But Ireland have more experience of playing in these conditions and if one of their batters gets set or if one of the bowlers runs through India’s top-order, we could be in for a thrilling encounter. For now though, India start favourites to take a 1-0 lead in the series.

Sarah

Sarah

A strong believer in the fact that Kohli and Paes are the greatest Indian superstars!

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