India Predicted XI for 2nd T20I vs Ireland: Hardik Pandya may hand debuts to Arshdeep Singh, Rahul Tripathi

India face Ireland in their second and final T20I at The Village in Malahide on Tuesday. The visitors won the first T20I by seven wickets.

India got off to the best possible start in their T20I series against Ireland, cruising to a 7-wicket victory in a game which was reduced to 12-overs-a -ide because of rain. Ishan Kishan, Deepak Hooda, and Hardik Pandya’s blistering innings made short work of the109-run target, easily achieved despite a small injury to Ruturaj Gaikwad meaning Hooda had to open instead. Earlier, the bowling unit did well to contain Ireland despite Harry Tector’s great performance with the bat, especially Yuzvendra Chahal as he won man of the match for his figures of 1-11 from 3 overs.

Indian cricket players Shreyas Iyer, Ishan Kishan and Arshdeep Singh during a practice session (ANI)

Despite the comfortable victory, however, India might take the opportunity to rotate and test out new combinations at Castle Avenue in Dublin, with the touring party consisting of players such as Arshdeep Singh and Rahul Tripathi who would be itching for some gametime. With a strong core of players already present, some experimentation might be in order.

Gaikwad’s calf injury could see him rested as a precautionary measure, and there are several replacements who could open the batting alongside Ishan Kishan. This includes Venkatesh Iyer and Sanju Samson, but also potential debutant Rahul Tripathi, who is coming off a very strong season with the Sunrisers Hyderabad. Iyer might be overlooked to maintain a right-left combination at the top, while Samson has preferred to bat in the middle order in recent times, while Tripathi also has the advantage of being a gun fielder.

Hooda and Hardik performed strongly in the roles they were given, and despite his golden duck, Suryakumar Yadav will likely reprise his role upon his return from injury. Similarly Dinesh Karthik, as wicketkeeper, should remain in the team at number 6, a position he is increasingly making his own.

In the bowling department, Chahal and Bhuvneshwar Kumar will keep their roles as the leaders of the attack with Axar Patel contributing as the all-rounder, and more faith will hopefully be placed in the talent of Umran Malik in a full game. However, Avesh Khan, who has played the entire South Africa series, might get a rest, allowing the introduction of Arshdeep Singh, who will also add the left-arm angle and has spent too long on the sidelines.

India predicted XI vs Ireland, 2nd T20I:

Openers: Ishan Kishan, Rahul Tripathi

Top and middle order: Deepak Hooda, Suryakumar Yadav

Power-hitters: Hardik Pandya (c), Dinesh Karthik (wk), Axar Patel

Spinners: Axar Patel, Yuzvendra Chahal

Pacers: Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Umran Malik, Arshdeep Singh

Changes in the XI: Rahul Tripathi in place Rututraj Gaikwad and Arshdeep Singh in place of Avesh Khan.

Predicted XI: Ishan Kishan, Rahul Tripathi, Deepak Hooda, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Dinesh Karthik, Axar Patel, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Umran Malik, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal