India vs Ireland, 2nd T20I, India Predicted XI: Will Umran Malik Get Another Chance?

27.06.2022 - 13:29 sports.ndtv.com

India on Sunday defeated Ireland by seven wickets to lead the two-match T20I series 1-0. The match in Dublin saw Indian batters being right on the money but it was certainly the bowling department of the visitors that failed to meet expectations.

Ireland scored 108/4 against India in the rain-curtailed match that was reduced to 12 overs a side. Though India eventually won the game riding on a good batting performance, stand-in skipper Hardik Pandya will be looking for a better showing from his bowlers in the second T20I to be played on Tuesday.

Here's what we think could be India's playing XI for the second T20I against Ireland: Ishan Kishan: The southpaw continued his good form and smashed 26 runs off 11 balls in the first T20I against Ireland.

His dominating knock included three fours and two sixes. Rahul Tripathi: Given that Ruturaj Gaikwad didn't bat in the first game after suffering a calf injury, IPL star Rahul Tripathi may be handed his India debut during the second T20I against Ireland.

cricket India Cricket Team Hardik Pandya Dinesh Karthik Umran Malik South Africa Ireland India Dublin

Pacer Umran Malik made his India debut in the T20 International (T20I) series against Ireland and then also played in the three-match T20I series against England. However, he has not found a place in either the ODI or T20I squad for India's upcoming series against West Indies. Former India batter Aakash Chopra took to Twitter to note his exclusion and said that the team management must have already spoken to the youngster as it is "all about nurturing his talent".

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Star India batter Virat Kohli would be desperate to come out of his prolonged lean patch when he makes his T20 return after five months with the second game against England, in Birmingham on Saturday. Kohli, who last played a T20 international in February, has featured in only two games since India's underwhelming campaign in the T20 World Cup in October-November when he was captain of the national side. The only T20 cricket he played since then was in the IPL but there too he was far from his best.

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Kohli, who last played a T20 international in February, has featured in only two games since India's underwhelming campaign in the T20 World Cup in October-November when he was captain of the national side. The only T20 cricket he played since then was in the IPL but there too he was far from his best.

India Predicted XI vs England, 1st T20I: Will Team India Choose Umran Malik Over Arshdeep Singh?

The Indian T20I cricket team gets down to business yet again with a match against T20 World Cup semi-finalists England in Southampton on Thursday. The series is part of the contests that the Rohit Sharma-led Team India will play in the lead up to the 2022 T20 World Cup, starting in Australia in less than three months. Regular captain Rohit is back in the team after recovering from COVID-19, due to which he missed the fifth rescheduled Test at Edgbaston. However, the team will be without other top stars like Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant and Jasprit Bumrah. They have been rested after playing the Test that ended on Monday.

Watch: Umran Malik Sends Derbyshire Batter's Middle Stump Flying During India's Tour Match

Umran Malik and his extreme pace are no more a secret to anyone. The bowler caught limelight with his speed in the Indian Premier League in 2021 before putting a further better performance in the next edition. The IPL 2022 season saw Malik picking 22 wickets across 14 games with his best figures being 5/25. The performance helped Umran get an entry to the Indian squad for the series against Ireland before earning another call-up for the nation's upcoming white-ball series against England.

Watch: Umran Malik Holds His Nerve To Defend 8 Off 3 In Last-Ball Thriller vs Ireland

Ireland gave India a run for their money despite the visitors posting a daunting total of 225/7 in the second T20I at the Malahide Cricket Club in Dublin. Displaying bravery in their batting, the Andy Balbirnie-led side pushed the match to the final delivery, but ended up four runs short. With George Dockrell and Mark Adair both in an explosive mood, India captain Hardik Pandya turned to young pacer Umran Malik, playing just his second game for the country, for the final over, with Ireland needing 17 off it.