Predicting India’s Best XI For The T20I Series Against Ireland-TGN

Fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah will return to international action after a gap of over 10 months in the upcoming series against Ireland later this month. Not only Bumrah will make his comeback to the Indian colors, he will also be leading the side in the 3 T20Is in Dublin, scheduled for August 18, 20, and 23.

Ruturaj Gaikwad, who will be the captain for the Asian Games, is named Jasprit Bumrah’s deputy for the Ireland tour.

Given that most of the players who are going to be part of the Asia Cup 2023 squad – with the tournament starting on August 30 and before that a preparatory camp is reported to be held, headed by coach Rahul Dravid – the BCCI has named a largely second-string squad for the T20I series against Ireland.

Here is India’s probable, best playing XI for the first T20I against Ireland:

Openers: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ruturaj Gaikwad

Jaiswal and Gaikwad both are coming off bumper IPL 2023 seasons and there is no doubt that they will be the openers in Ireland, at least for the first couple of matches.

Middle-order: Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson (wk), Rinku Singh

We might see at least two players making their India debut in Ireland – Tilak Varma and Rinku Singh, both of whom shined with the bat for their respective IPL teams in the IPL 2023 and have earned their national call-ups. Rinku Singh was arguably the best Indian finisher in the IPL this year while Tilak too made big noises with his exploits, both in class and temperament.

Sanju Samson could also be part of the Asia Cup, especially if KL Rahul is not fit. He cracked a fifty in the 3rd ODI against West Indies and has the upcoming 5 T20I series to audition as well. The Ireland series could be his further audition for the number 4 role or a middle-order spot in the ODI team.

All-rounders: Shivam Dube, Washington Sundar

Both Shivam Dube and Sundar are making a comeback to the Indian team in Ireland. Dube emerged as one of the best spin-hitter in the IPL 2023, finding a new role in the CSK team and having plenty of success. Although CSK didn’t use his bowling, Dube is capable of sending 1-2 decent overs in a game.

Sundar, on the other hand, has had a topsy-turvy time while dealing with injuries. He will want to cash-in on this opportunity.

Bowlers: Ravi Bishnoi, Avesh Khan, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah (C)

With Chahal and Kuldeep expected to be picked for the Asia Cup squad, the Ireland series is a chance for Bishnoi to remind everyone of his talents and abilities. And the same goes for the likes of Avesh Khan, who didn’t exactly have a furitful IPL.

Arshdeep Singh will partner Jasprit Bumrah to form a strong bowling pair, and we could get a glimpse of India’s T20I bowling future as well in this duo.

Predicting India’s best playing XI for the 1st T20I against Ireland:

Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ruturaj Gaikwad (VC), Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson (wk), Rinku Singh, Shivam Dube, Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Avesh Khan, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah (C)

Team India squad for T20I series against Ireland: Jasprit Bumrah (C), Ruturaj Gaikwad (VC), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh, Sanju Samson (wk), Jitesh Sharma (wk), Shivam Dube, Washington Sundar, Shahbaz Ahmed, Ravi Bishnoi, Prasidh Krishna, Arshdeep Singh, Mukesh Kumar, Avesh Khan