One of the key decisions for India is determining who will open alongside captain Rohit Sharma. It will be interesting to see if Virat Kohli, who was the highest run-scorer in the IPL, opens or the left-handed Yashasvi Jaiswal opens batting with skipper Rohit Sharma.
Rishabh Pant is expected to play as the first-choice wicketkeeper-batter after his impressive fifty in the warm-up match, following a stellar IPL season. Although Sanju Samson has performed well enough to merit consideration, Pant’s dynamic shot-making gives him an edge.
Another decision for the Indian team is the bowling combination. They must choose between three pacers including Hardik Pandya and two spinners, or four pacers and a single spinner.
The likely spin duo will be Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja, while the pace attack will be led by Jasprit Bumrah, with either Mohammed Siraj or Arshdeep Singh, and Pandya serving as the fifth bowler.
Ireland, led by veteran Paul Stirling, will aim to upset India in Group A with their dynamic playing style. The team features experienced T20 players like Andy Balbirnie, Lorcan Tucker, Harry Tector, Curtis Campher, and Josh Tongue.
Despite India’s 7-0 record against Ireland in T20 World Cups, the Men in Blue will not underestimate their opponents, recognizing their competitive nature. Moreover, the Ireland team will take confidence from their win over Pakistan in May this year. They beat a full-strength Pakistan squad by five wickets in a 183 run chase.
Squads:
India squad: Rohit Sharma (c), Hardik Pandya (vc), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant (wk), Sanju Samson (wk), Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohd. Siraj
Ireland’s squad: Paul Stirling (Capt), Mark Adair, Ross Adair, Andrew Balbirnie, Curtis Campher, Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, Graham Hume, Josh Little, Barry McCarthy, Neil Rock, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Ben White, Craig Young.