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A second-string India side will hope for clear weather and improved performances from debutants like Umran Malik when the side clashes with Ireland in the second and final T20I in Dublin on Tuesday, June 28. The rain had reduced the series-opener to 12-overs a side contest and it could well be another shortened game considering a rather gloomy forecast for match day.
Ruturaj Gaikwad did not come out to bat on Sunday due to a calf niggle and could be the only change in the playing XI if the opener doesn't regain full fitness. This might open the doors for a debut for Indian opener Rahul Tripathi
With a full-strength squad to be played in the T20Is against England in July, the final match against Ireland is another opportunity for the younger players to show what they are capable of.
Pace sensation Umran Malik will be among the players who will be eager to make an impact on the team. It would not be fair to judge him given the one over that he bowled in the first T20I, where he conceded 14 runs against Ireland. He was smashed around the park by Irish youngster Harry Tector, who took full advantage of Malik's extra pace.
Skipper Hardik Pandya has already expressed that Malik is better off bowling with the old ball, bringing him into play only after the powerplay. In the powerplay, Bhuvneshwar Kumar is likely to pose problems for the Irish batters with the conditions helping him move the ball both ways. Avesh Khan was not up to the mark in the death overs and he will be looking for better performance.
Meanwhile, Tector will be the focus of the bowlers of India. The Irish batter attracted a lot of attention with his fearless play in the first T20I after his team found themselves in a lot of trouble. Some of the shots he played fetched praise even from the Indian players.
But their skipper Andrew Balbirnie would expect a lot more from the bowlers, who need to raise their game against a formidable batting line-up. The pacers could not find the right length at the start of the innings, giving the Indians easy boundaries.
Craig Young got the ball to swing and seam and his fellow fast bowlers would be inspired by him to put up a better show against the mighty Indians. It is not every day that they get to play a team like India and they would eager to make the most of the opportunity.
Skipper Hardik Pandya and Deepak Hooda, who did well as a makeshift opener in Gaikwad's absence, targeted off-spinner Andy McBrine in the over that yielded 21 runs. Having served a harsh lesson, McBrine will hope to contain the right-handers. Suryakumar Yadav's return to international cricket from an injury lasted only one ball and he will be aiming to get back to his consistent ways.
Squads
India
Hardik Pandya (captain), Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Ishan Kishan, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Sanju Samson, Suryakumar Yadav, Venkatesh Iyer, Deepak Hooda, Rahul Tripathi, Dinesh Karthik, Yuzvendra Chahal, Axar Patel, Ravi Bishnoi, Harshal Patel, Avesh Khan, Arshdeep Singh, Umran Malik.
Ireland
Andrew Balbirnie (captain), Mark Adair, Curtis Campher, Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, Stephen Doheny, Josh Little, Andrew McBrine, Barry McCarthy, Conor Olphert, Paul Stirling, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Craig Young.
