India are set to square off against Ireland in the first T20I in the two-match T20I series at The Village, Dublin on Sunday, June 26.
Ireland:
Ireland showcased great performance in the T20 World Cup qualifier and won the ODI series against West Indies. The likes of Andy McBrine and Andy Balbirnie are experienced players, who need to perform well for the team in order to put up tough competition against the Men in Blue. Since last year’s T20 World Cup in the UAE, Ireland haven’t played a single T20I against a Full-Member team. Ireland have included a couple of uncapped players in the top-order batter Stephen Doheny and the seamer Conor Olphert.
India:
India is set to play under the new leadership of all-rounder Hardik Pandya. Hardik’s leadership skills were on display in the Indian Premier League(IPL) 2022. He had led Gujarat Titans to a title win in their inaugural season. The key players for them will be Ishan Kishan and Hardik Pandya. Playing under two talismanic skippers in Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Virat Kohli, they have taught Hardik a lot about leadership qualities. It was Rishabh Pant who lead the side in the five-match series against South Africa that ended in a 2-2 stalemate.
Senior players including Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, and KL Rahul are among a few others who will not be at the service against the Irish side.
WAGING ODDS: Ireland (7.00) Vs India (1.08)
India are the favorites and are priced at 1.08, meaning if you bet ₹100 on them and if they win the match, you’ll be making ₹108.
Ireland are the underdogs and priced at 7.00 meaning if you bet ₹100 on them and if they win the match, you’ll be making ₹700.
Our Prediction:
Lies ahead a huge challenge for Ireland with the odds stacked against them. They will be eyeing to put up a huge competition against India. There have been three 180-plus first-innings totals in the last five T20Is in Malahide, and the team batting first passed 200 in each of the three matches before that. India have a balanced team despite the major absentees and they are likely to clinch a win.
Prediction: India to win
