India kicked off their two-match T20I series against Ireland at Stormont Cricket Ground in Belfast on Friday, June 26, marking the team’s return to Northern Ireland after nearly two decades. The series opens a new chapter for the reigning T20 World Cup champions, with Shreyas Iyer leading the side as the new T20I captain and Tilak Varma named as his deputy.
Ireland, under new full-time captain Lorcan Tucker, welcomed India in front of a full house in Belfast. Tucker took over the captaincy after Paul Stirling was ruled out with injury, and two Ireland players were set to make their T20I debuts in the series opener.
IRE vs IND: Toss update
India won the toss and opted to field first. Iyer cited the pitch conditions and the squad’s unfamiliarity with playing in Ireland as the key factors behind the decision. Tucker said he too would have preferred to bat and described the pitch as a good one.
IRE vs IND: Harshit Rana back, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi misses out
Despite being part of the Indian touring party, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has been left out of the playing XI for the 1st T20I in Belfast. The young batter, who is on his first trip with the senior national side, has not made the cut for the series opener. Iyer, when asked directly about Sooryavanshi at the toss, made it clear the team is backing players who have been performing well in recent series for India. He acknowledged the young batter’s talent but confirmed his opportunity will come in time. For now, India have gone with three genuine seamers, one all-rounder, and two spinners. Ireland, meanwhile, handed T20I debuts to Jai Moondra and Matthew Hollard for the game.
IRE vs IND: What did the captains say?
Lorcan Tucker, Ireland captain
“Would’ve bowled. Looks a really good pitch. I think it was a natural transition. I think Stirlo had led beautifully for the past couple of years. Very happy to have been in behind him for those couple of years. I feel like I learned a lot from him. He’s so experienced, such a brilliant T20 player. So I feel like I’m in a good place now to lead the group myself. I think it gives our lads great opportunity. We have Jai Moondra and Matt Hollard making their debut today, so hopefully they can make a big impact. Jai’s a new ball bowler. I think he swings it up top. He has had good success in domestic cricket. Matty’s a bit of a basher and a wicket-taker, really. They’re pretty special games, these, playing India at home. I think they’re the biggest crowds we get. Full house here today, and hopefully there’ll be lads rolling in behind us as well,” said Tucker.
Shreyas Iyer, India captain
“We’re going to field first. It looks a good pitch. Yeah, it’s a new surface for us, and it’s the first time, and the majority of us haven’t played over here. So, considering the conditions, the environment, and also the wicket, we have decided to field first. Honestly speaking, he’s just asked all the players to be themselves and be relentless in the approach, ruthless. And there are so many other adverbs which I could put in over here. But, you know, it comes from the experience, and the majority of us, as I’ve mentioned before, it’s our first time over here. So we need to get accustomed to the conditions as well as quickly as possible. And we’ve got a tremendous session yesterday. So, boys are looking in great shape and good form. Absolutely. We’re going to take one match at a time, and that’s the eventual goal. But right now, it’s over here, in Ireland, playing against Ireland, and get the best out of each other. I always keep saying that you don’t have to complicate things. Keep it as simple as possible. When I say that, you just need to be in the present and not think much about or dwell into past or future. If you’re there in the moment and you’re enjoying the game, that’s all is required from each one. Unfortunately, no. He’s a gun player. But obviously, we’ve got tremendous experience in the squad who have done brilliant in the past couple of series for India. So we are backing majority of our cricketers who have been doing absolutely marvellous throughout the season. So I think he’ll get his opportunity when the time comes. But for now, we are going with three genuine seamers, one all-rounder, and two spinners,” said Iyer.
IRE vs IND: Playing XIs
Ireland
Tim Tector, Ross Adair, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker (w/c), Benjamin Calitz, Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, Liam McCarthy, Matthew Humphreys, Jai Moondra, Matthew Hollard
India
Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (w), Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer (c), Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna
Go to Source
Author: ajay_koushik
