For Ireland, it was the lower order that helped them to a modest 139 in the first T20I. The top order, which totally scored just 25 runs, will have to step up against the quality Indian bowling on Sunday if they want to level the series. Andrew Balbirnie, Paul Stirling, and Lorcan Tucker were all among runs in the T20 World Cup Europe Qualifier in July and will be expected to put up some fight against the second-string Indian side.
Form guide
Ireland LLWWW (Last five completed T20Is; most recent first)
India WLWWL
In the spotlight – Gaikwad and McCarthy
Ruturaj Gaikwad ^(https://lotus365.today/goto/https://www.espncricinfo.com/cricketers/ruturaj-gaikwad-1060380) survived a mix-up with Jaiswal in the second over of the chase to remain unbeaten on 19 before the rain stopped play. The opener had a successful IPL season where he scored 590 runs in 15 innings ^(https://lotus365.today/goto/https://www.espncricinfo.com/records/tournament/averages-batting-bowling-by-team/indian-premier-league-2023-15129?team=4343) at a strike rate of 147. With the team management making him the captain for the Asian Games, scheduled for September end, Gaikwad will be hoping to get some big scores before heading to the tournament.
Team news – Will India continue with Arshdeep?
Ireland are unlikely to make changes to their playing XI.
Ireland possible XI: 1 Paul Stirling (capt), 2 Andrew Balbirnie, 3 Lorcan Tucker (wk), 4 Harry Tector, 5 Curtis Campher, 6 George Dockrell, 7 Mark Adair, 8 Barry McCarthy, 9 Craig Young, 10 Josh Little, 11 Ben White
India possible XI: 1 Yashasvi Jaiswal, 2 Ruturaj Gaikwad, 3 Tilak Varma, 4 Rinku Singh, 5 Sanju Samson (wk), 6 Shivam Dube, 7 Washington Sundar, 8 Arshdeep Singh/Avesh Khan, 9 Ravi Bishnoi, 10 Jasprit Bumrah (capt), 11 Prasidh Krishna.
Pitch and conditions
It is expected to be sunny and pleasant throughout the day.
