FANTASY
Follow Us2018 was the last time these two sides met each other. India in the two-match T20I series that time, led by Virat Kohli won the series in convincing fashion, by 143 runs and 76 runs respectively. In fact, Ireland are yet to register a win against India across all formats, with three losses in the shortest one. So, this series provides them with an opportunity of first, starting Saturday in Dublin.
It is a first for India too, first for Hardik as a skipper, possibly the first for Rahul Tripathi, Arshdeep Singh and Umran Malik. However, India wouldn’t take Ireland lightly, knowing what they can do.
Ground Details and team combination
‘The Village’ as it is referred, the ground at Dublin is a dream-come-true for the pacers. In fact, it is a venue which is nicely ventilated, which brings the new-ball bowlers into the picture. At the venue, the pacers have enjoyed a heavy bit of success, with 150 wickets across all T20s, with 3.8 wickets/innings.
Having said that, however, in T20s since 2020, it has been a mixed bag, with shared spoils for both pacers and spinners, with eight wickets each. In the last two years, the average first-innings total at the venue has been 165, which also happens to be a winning total. Across 22 matches, team batting first have won only nine times, with 13 wins for the teams chasing.
Suggested Team
While you could go for the above team, you also have the option of choosing your team from Cricket.com’s Fantasy Research Centre. You can use this tool to build your team with the help of algorithms. Then, based on your preferences, the platform will guide you through creating the ideal fantasy XI.
Captaincy Suggestions
Small Leagues – Suryakumar Yadav (Captain), Curtis Campher (vice-captain)
Grand Leagues – Paul Stirling (Captain), Bhuvneshwar Kumar (vice-captain)
Stats that matter
- At the venue, pacers have traditionally picked up more wickets than spinners, with 150 at an average of 3.8/innings against spinners, who have picked 96 at an average of 2.4
- Ireland skipper Andrew Balbirnie has the best batting record at the venue, with 262 runs, averaging 26.2 while striking strongly at 137.9.
- Since the start of 2022, no one in the Test-playing nation has scored more runs than Ishan Kishan (382 runs) at an average of 38.2.
- Craig Young is Ireland’s leading wicket-taker in the year (2022), with 12 wickets.
Grand League punts
- While both Suryakumar Yadav and Curtis Campher, both of whom have proven to be consistent performers for the side remain as the top-options for Small Leagues, Grand league requires you to take plenty of risks.
- In five games at the venue, Stirling has a poor record, with an average of 11.8 but taking a punt on the right-hander will help you win big. Since 2021, with a minimum of 40 T20s, Stirling has the second-best record in world cricket, at 142.2. In fact, more than 70% of his runs come via boundaries. He’s a risk that is worth taking.
- While Craig Young might not be on top of the wicket-takers list at the venue, he is in fact, Ireland’s leading wicket-taker this year, with 12 wickets. In the T20 World Cup qualifier earlier this year, Young picked up the most wickets for Ireland, with eight. Taking a punt on Young might be well-worth it.
- Picking bowlers in the shortest format is always a risk but with Bhuvneshwar Kumar, you exactly know what to expect. The right-arm seamer is only behind Harshal Patel in terms of being India’s leading wicket-taker this year. On pitches that are likely to aid pacers, picking Bhuvneshwar might be the perfect punt.
Probable XIs
India XI: Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ishan Kishan, Rahul Tripathi/Suryakumar Yadav, Sanju Samson (wk), Hardik Pandya (c), Dinesh Karthik, Axar Patel, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Harshal Patel, Yuzvendra Chahal, Avesh Khan
Ireland XI: Paul Stirling, Andrew Balbirnie (c), Gareth Delany, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker (wk), Andy McBrine, Simi Singh, Curtis Campher, Mark Adair, Barry McCarthy, Joshua Little
