Ireland vs India 2nd T20I: Preview, Playing XI, TV listing
What's the story
Virat Kohli and crew will play their final T20I game against Ireland on Friday at the Malahide Cricket Club Ground. This will be India's last match before the three-match T20I series against England, which is scheduled to start on July 3. Captain Kohli has said he would continue to experiment with the middle order. Here is all you need to know about this fixture.
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Where can you watch this fixture?
The second T20I between Ireland and India is scheduled to start at 8:30 PM IST. It will be telecast live on Sony Six and Sony Six HD. Fans can also stream it live on the Sony LIV app.
Fantastic duo
Indian openers and spinners destroyed Ireland in 1st T20I
India secured a comfortable 76-run victory over Ireland in the first T20I, thanks to the heroics of Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan and spin duo Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav. India shuffled their middle order in the fixture as the likes of Suresh Raina and Hardik Pandya were sent up the order. Notably, KL Rahul couldn't find a place in Playing XI in first T20I.
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India to continue experiment with middle order
"Look, we've already announced we will experiment with the middle-order a lot. Even in the next few T20 games, even in England, we will look to throw in guys and surprise the opposition" Virat Kohli, Indian cricket team captain said.
Well deserved
KL Rahul and Dinesh Karthik to get a chance
Not just shuffling the middle order, India are expected to have a couple of changes in the Playing XI as well. The likes of KL Rahul and wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Karthik are likely to feature in this fixture. Both Rahul and DK had a fantastic IPL season and they are expected to play a crucial part in the upcoming T20s against England.
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Kohli to rotate squad for this fixture
"The guys who couldn't get a chance today will get an opportunity in the next match. The guys had a great time in IPL but they need to get time in the middle. We're going to give everyone a go in this series." Kohli said.
Injury scare
Kohli might not risk Bumrah against Ireland
India have a slight concern after Jasprit Bumrah limped off the field in the last over of the first T20I against Ireland. Kohli is likely to rest his key pacer in this game and give Umesh Yadav a go. Another concern for India has been the fielding, which needs to be taken care of before India take on England in the coming series.
Contrasting fortunes
Dhawan chases milestone, Raina hopes to set record straight
Opener Shikhar Dhawan is just 42 runs away from becoming the fifth Indian to score 1,000 runs in T20Is. Virat Kohli needs 17 runs to cross the 2,000-run landmark. This fixture is a perfect opportunity for Suresh Raina. He will look to set his record right as he has scored just one fifty in T20Is since June 2010.
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Ireland: Probable Playing XI
Paul Stirling, James Shannon, Andrew Balbirnie, Gary Wilson (captain), Simi Singh, Stuart Poynter (wicket-keeper), Kevin O'Brien, Stuart Thompson, Peter Chase, George Dockrell and Boyd Rankin
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India: Probable Playing XI
KL Rahul, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli (captain), Suresh Raina, MS Dhoni (wicket-keeper), Dinesh Karthik, Hardik Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Umesh Yadav, Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal.