India vs Ireland T20 World Cup 2024 Match 8

The Men in Blue are once again ready for yet another edition of the T20 World Cup. However, the challenge will be a lot different this time as the tournament will be hosted in the West Indies and the United States of America. Rohit Sharma-led India take on Ireland in their opening match of the 2024 ICC Men's T20 World Cup, which is scheduled to take place at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York on June 5 at 10:30 AM Local, 8:00 PM IST. Team India recently registered a comprehensive 60-run win over Bangladesh in their only warm-up fixture before the start of the showpiece event.

Rohit-Kohli's last hurrah? Favourites India faces an Irish challenge upfront

Despite their contrasting personalities, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have been the backbone of India's white-ball cricket for nearly two decades. Their journeys began in different locations - Rohit in Belfast and Kohli in Dambulla. Their journeys could culminate together this month in the T20 World Cup 2024. Given the increasing emphasis on strike rate and the upcoming World Cups in 2026 and 2027, this could be their last hurrah. Both players aim to end their careers on a high note, hoping to replicate their past World Cup wins - the 2007 T20 for Rohit and the 2011 ODI for Kohli.

Team India is expected to be a strong contender in the upcoming tournament due to their well-rounded squad. With Virat Kohli, the highest scorer in T20 World Cup history, leading the batting alongside Suryakumar Yadav, the number-one-ranked T20I batter globally, India's batting looks promising. On the bowling front, the likes of Jasprit Bumrah, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, and Kuldeep Yadav will play crucial roles, especially in spin-friendly conditions.

On the flip side, Ireland has emerged as one of the most exciting teams in world cricket since gaining Test status. The team comprises a talented group of players who are consistently excelling in cricket leagues worldwide. Paul Stirling, one of Ireland's most experienced players and the team captain, will lead the batting lineup, attacking the new ball and scoring runs quickly. Fast bowler Josh Little will be crucial to the bowling attack, consistently delivering impressive performances in various T20 leagues worldwide.

IND vs IRE Match 8: Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, New York Weather and Pitch Report

The two matches at the ground, a warm-up game between India and Bangladesh and another between South Africa and Sri Lanka, showcased different pitches at the venue. Therefore, it is crucial to assess the conditions of the wicket ahead of the India vs Ireland match. The match between South Africa and Sri Lanka saw how even medium pacers like Dasun Shanaka and Angelo Mathews effectively troubled quality batters such as Aiden Markram, Quinton de Kock, and Tristan Stubbs. In addition, pacers like Anrich Nortje and Kagiso Rabada and round-arm slingers like Nuwan Thushara and Matheesha Pathirana were also challenging to handle. Therefore, dismissing the pitch as favouring pace bowlers would be a mistake. However, it will be interesting to see what will be the probable India Playing 11 against Ireland.

However, does this mean that it wouldn't provide support for spinners? In the SL vs SA match, pacers benefitted from bounce and swing, while spinners like Keshav Maharaj and later Wanindu Hasaranga also took advantage of the two-paced wicket. However, during the IND vs BAN warm-up game, Bangladesh spinners struggled, and Indian spinners found it challenging to get turn and bounce. This shows that a spinner's success depends on their skills. The weather for the India vs Ireland game at Nassau County is expected to be cloudy, with temperatures in the lower 20s from 8 PM IST (10:30 AM local time) to 11:30 PM IST (1:00 AM local time). This means the conditions will be favourable for swing bowling early in the game.

Predicted India Playing 11

Talking about the India T20 World Cup 2024 squad, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Virat Kohli were unavailable for the warm-up game, so Sanju Samson and Rishabh Pant got an opportunity. Pant performed exceptionally well, securing his spot in the team. Jaiswal and Kohli will also get a chance to play, along with Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav, making them the top five batters for the team. The selection of all-rounders will be crucial. Considering the pitch favours pace, India may play Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube.

IND Playing XI

Rohit Sharma (C), Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant (WK), Suryakumar Yadav, Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh

Rohit Sharma (C), Hardik Pandya (VC), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant (WK), Sanju Samson (WK), Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Shubman Gill, Rinku Singh, Avesh Khan, Khaleel Ahmed.

Predicted Ireland Playing 11

On the flip side, Ireland will be entering the match after playing several T20 games just before the tournament. The Irish team posed tough competition for Pakistan in the three-match T20I series. The Paul Stirling-led team has a wealth of experience, including players like George Dockrell and Andrew Balbirnie. Harry Tector's performance could also have a significant role for Ireland in the T20 World Cup 2024.

IRE Playing XI

Andy Balbirnie, Paul Stirling (C), Lorcan Tucker (WK), Harry Tector, Curtis Campher, George Dockrell, Gareth Delany, Mark Adair, Barry McCarthy, Craig Young, Josh Little

Paul Stirling (C), Mark Adair, Ross Adair, Andrew Balbirnie, Curtis Campher, Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, Graham Hume, Josh Little, Barry McCarthy, Neil Rock, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker (WK), Ben White, Craig Young.