India and Ireland are set to lock horns in the eighth match of T20 World Cup 2024 on Wednesday, June 5. India‘s pursuit of the second T20 World Cup title kicks off with a highly-anticipated match against Ireland at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York on Wednesday. Both teams are placed in Group A. India (IND) have a remarkable record against Ireland (IRE) having emerged victorious in all seven T20Is played between them so far. They are termed as the favourites for the upcoming encounter.
When the Indian team steps onto the Nassau County Cricket Stadium in Long Island on Thursday morning, they will be greeted by hoardings proclaiming the Twenty20 World Cup, alongside the stadium’s signboards. The Indian team might well interpret these as ominous signs from beneath the banners: “Caution: Danger Ahead.”
IND vs IRE Previous Performances
Despite India’s disappointing finishes in the previous T20 and ODI World Cups, they remain strong contenders for the championship. Their recent success in T20I matches highlights their ongoing potential, having secured four victories and suffered only one loss in their last five games.
Ireland’s journey to the World Cup was an arduous one, as they had to cope with challenging European qualifications after missing out on direct entry. Their perseverance paid off as they secured a commendable second-place finish. Ireland’s competitive spirit is not to be underestimated, especially given their recent victories over teams like Pakistan and Afghanistan in the T20I format.
IND vs IRE Head to Head
India 7 – 0 Ireland. The only previous meeting in T20 World Cups have come in 2009 in Trent Bridge where India won by eight wickets. Rohit Sharma is the sole survivor from that game.
| Matches Played | 07 |
| Won by India | 07 |
| Won by Ireland | 00 |
| No Result | 00 |
| First-ever Fixture | 10th June, 2009 |
| Most-recent Fixture | 20th August, 2023 |
IND vs IRE Pitch Report
It’s the million-dollar question that neither Rohit Sharma, captain of India, nor Paul Sterling, the captain of Ireland, would have a clue about after witnessing what happened in the Sri Lanka and South Africa game. Both teams and spectators would hope that the drop-in pitch does not misbehave as it did in Sri Lanka’s six-wicket defeat. Setting aside the unpredictability of the pitch, this should be a contest that India comfortably wins. One thing to look forward to is who will open for India with Rohit – Virat Kohli or Yashaswi Jaiswal
The weather in New York is perfect for cricket. Not too hot, not too cold, no worry about dew. The pitch and outfield, however, will be under the scanner again after the events from Monday, where 80 for 4 in 16.2 overs played 77 all out. But things can only get better. India played a warm-up game here, on a different track, and they scored 180.
The upcoming match at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium will only be the second in the venue’s history. Previously, the stadium hosted a match between Sri Lanka and South Africa on June 3. Sri Lanka were bowled out for just 77 runs during this low-scoring encounter. South Africa also struggled in their chase, reaching the target in the 17th over. The pitch for the upcoming match is expected to be slow and sluggish, which could favour India due to their skilled spinners who can effectively utilize such conditions.
IND vs IRE Big Picture India in their element vs resurging Ireland
India played two high-profile games at the last T20 World Cup. They won the one where the pitch was tough to bat on and lost the one where it was considerably easier. They will be pleased that the surfaces at this tournament are proving trickier than expected. That means they won’t be bested by the team with the better six-hitting pedigree, like they were in 2016 and in 2022.
Less-than-placid conditions also bring Ireland into the game. Josh Little will be asked to do what other left-arm quicks have done against India in the past. Bowl full and try to get lbws and bowleds, which if he manages to do so will be doubly useful, because India are front-loading at this World Cup. Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Suryakumar Yadav – their three best batters – are likely to be Nos. 1, 2 and 3. Taking them out early might be half the job done.
It’s early days, but so far, discipline more than strength seems to be the necessary ingredient to win at this T20 World Cup, which has taken a leap into the unknown. So watch for Jasprit Bumrah holding his length back and prioritizing being unhittable first. And for Paul Stirling to respond with calculated risks to maximize the powerplay.
Kuldeep Yadav will make the most of his improved air speed by never giving up the stumps. All of Ireland – particularly their middle order of Harry Tector and Curtis Campher – will have to work together to deny him wickets. It will be hard but that’s what they want. Ireland live for games like these, for occasions like these.
IND vs IRE In the spotlight – Rishabh Pant and Harry Tector
Putting just the jersey back on gave him goosebumps. Imagine how it would feel when Rishabh Pant walks out there to bat. Or even just out there, that first step back on the field for India in an official match at a World Cup no less. He might make the headlines. Or he might not. But the mere fact that he is back and is able to play cricket at this level again after that car accident less than two years ago is huge. The sport is lucky to still have him and his no-look flicks for six.
Harry Tector made his highest T20I score against India, an action-packed 64 off 33 balls, although that was against a decidedly second-string attack. Rather more recently, he stood up to Rashid Khan and Afghanistan with 56 off 34 balls and helped them to a score that eventually proved more than defendable. The middle-order batter stands out for both his power and his temperament and this T20 World Cup might just be his time.
IND vs IRE Vital stats that matters
- Kohli averages 81.5 in T20 World Cups having turned 14 of his 25 innings into 50-plus scores
- Bumrah has taken six wickets in 12 overs against Ireland at an average of 9.66 and economy rate of 4.83
- India have won all seven completed T20Is between the two teams
IND vs IRE Probable Playing XIs
India:
Rohit Sharma (c), Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Rishabh Pant (wk.), Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh
Ireland:
Paul Stirling (c), Andy Balbirnie, Lorcan Tucker, Harry Tector, George Dockrell, Gareth Delany, Curtis Campher, Mark Adair, Barry McCarthy, Josh Little, Ben White
IND vs IRE Fantasy XI: Rohit Sharma (c), Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Rishabh Pant , Jasprit Bumrah, Paul Stirling ,Joshua Little, Harry Tector, Mark Adair, Curtis Campher
IND vs IRE Probable Best Players of the Match
Probable Best Batter of the Match:
Rohit Sharma has been entering the fray with an attacking mindset as evident in ODI World Cup 2023. The Indian captain can bat deep into the game if he settles in. With Nassau’s deck aiding the slow bowlers and spinners mainly, he is expected to apply a subdued approach at the start before unleashing his class.
Probable Best Bowler of the Match:
Arshdeep Singh was clinical when he played for Punjab Kings in IPL 2024. He was at his best even when the Mullanpur pitch assisted the slow bowlers. He was among the wickets in the most number of games played at that particular venue. Purely on how Nassau’s pitch will traverse, he can be lethal with his timely yorkers and knuckle balls to deceive batters.
IND vs IRE Match Prediction
IND win the toss and opt to bowl first.
Power Play Score: 30-40
First Innings Score: 130-140
India win the match
Scenario 2
Ireland win the toss and opt to bowl first.
Power Play Score: 50-60
First Innings Score: 175-185
India win the match