Men's T20 World Cup 2024 India vs Ireland, 8th Match

When the Indian team steps onto Nassau County Cricket Stadium in Long Island on Thursday morning, they'll be met with hoardings advertising the Twenty20 World Cup, alongside the stadium's signboards. These visuals might seem like ominous warnings to the team: "Caution: Danger Ahead."

Following the pitch controversy in Tuesday's match between South Africa and Sri Lanka, unpredictability has quickly become a hallmark of the World Cup matches in New York. For India, this encounter could resemble a game of Russian Roulette more than a conventional cricket contest. South Africa's recent experience can attest to this.

On paper, Ireland doesn't appear to be a formidable opponent for India. However, the uncertainty of the pitch conditions adds a new dimension to the match, potentially neutralizing India's strengths and experience. Despite India's recent victories over Pakistan and the eventual champions England in the last World Cup, Paul Stirling's team may find India to be a formidable force, against whom they have never won in seven encounters. However, this may not be a straightforward contest, unless the drop-in pitch, prepared in Florida with expertise from South Australia, plays true. Ireland, though, will hope it doesn't.

For India, the unpredictable pitch is a concern. For Ireland, it's unfamiliarity. With practice facilities located elsewhere in Long Island, the Irish team has yet to officially step into Nassau County Stadium. "We haven't actually seen the ground, and it doesn't look like we're going to before the game," said skipper Paul Stirling to Cricket Europe.

Rahul Dravid has kept the opening combination under wraps, but it's likely to be Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, with left-right batsmen following as needed. Initially, India might have planned to play two left-arm spinners, Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel, along with wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav. However, after Tuesday's game, they might opt for an additional pacer, bringing both Mohammed Siraj and Arshdeep Singh into the lineup, possibly sidelining Axar Patel. Another spot up for debate is between Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shivam Dube, with Dube being the probable choice due to his bowling capabilities.

Ireland is known for their fearless cricket, a style India is well-acquainted with after the adventurous IPL season. The match may not see high-scoring games like the IPL; a total of 170-180 could be a winning score, depending on the pitch's behavior.

When: India vs Ireland, June 05, 10:30 am Local, 8 PM IST

Where: Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, New York

What to expect: This remains a million-dollar question after the pitch's performance in the Sri Lanka vs. South Africa game. Both teams and spectators will hope the drop-in pitch behaves better. Despite the pitch's unpredictability, India is expected to win comfortably. One key point of interest is who will open with Rohit Sharma - Virat Kohli or Yashasvi Jaiswal?

Head to Head: India 7 - 0 Ireland. Their only previous T20 World Cup meeting was in 2009 at Trent Bridge, where India won by eight wickets. Rohit Sharma is the sole survivor of that game.

Team Watches:

India: Rahul Dravid has not revealed much about the team's composition. The opening partnership remains a mystery, and there's a selection dilemma between Mohammed Siraj and Arshdeep Singh for the second pacer slot alongside Jasprit Bumrah. Hardik Pandya is expected to be the third pacer and sixth bowling option. Both left-arm spinners, Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel, along with Kuldeep Yadav, are likely to feature.

Probable XI: Rohit Sharma (c), Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant, Suryakumar Yadav, Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh.

Ireland: Coach Heinrich Malan encourages his players to believe they can beat India. Ireland has a history of surprising stronger teams, as seen in their victory over England in the last Twenty20 World Cup in Australia and a recent win against Pakistan. Wicketkeeper Lorcan Tucker is a key player.

Probable XI: Andy Balbirnie, Paul Stirling (c), Lorcan Tucker, Harry Tector, Curtis Campher, George Dockrell, Gareth Delany, Mark Adair, Barry McCarthy, Craig Young/Ben White, Josh Little.

Did you know?

• Since the last T20 World Cup, India has played 28 T20Is. The four senior players - Rohit Sharma (3), Virat Kohli, Ravindra Jadeja, and Jasprit Bumrah (2 games each) - have largely been absent from these matches.
• Virat Kohli averages 81.50 in T20 World Cups, with a strike rate of 131.30. In run chases, his average soars to 270.50.

What they said:

Rahul Dravid on India's XI for the game: "In a Playing XI and in a T20 game, there'll always be that one or two slots that you might make the odd change. In general, we are quite settled with a combination in our heads, though I haven't announced it or I haven't said it. You know, honestly, we are very clear about the direction we're going in, the direction we're going in, but we've picked a squad, you know, that allows us to maybe make those one or two changes based on the condition."

Paul Stirling on Ireland's XI: "It will be the morning of the match when we decide - I think because we haven't actually seen the ground yet. I think we've got to sort of keep everyone waiting on that front, but we're probably down to 12 or 13 if we're going to be honest. But we won't make the final call without seeing what we've got to play on."

Squads:

India Squad: Rohit Sharma (c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant (w), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Siraj, Yuzvendra Chahal, Sanju Samson, Shivam Dube.

Ireland Squad: Paul Stirling (c), Andrew Balbirnie, Lorcan Tucker (w), Harry Tector, Curtis Campher, George Dockrell, Gareth Delany, Ross Adair, Barry McCarthy, Mark Adair, Joshua Little, Craig Young, Benjamin White, Neil Rock, Graham Hume.