India will be playing a full-strength side for the two-match T20 series against Ireland ahead of the big England tour, which begins on 3 July in Manchester. The Men in Blue will take on Ireland on 27 and 29 June in Dublin.
The Indian captain Virat Kohli, who missed out on playing for Surrey in the County Championship due to an injury, will be hoping for a perfect tune-up for his team.
Here’s a look at five players to watch in the Ireland team.
1. Kevin O'Brien
Kevin O'Brien has been a legend-like figure in the Ireland dressing room for the last 12 years. The 34-year-old, who made his One Day International debut against England in 2006, has played 125 ODIs and 63 T20Is.
O’Brien smashed 113 runs off 63 balls against England in a group match of the 2011 World Cup to help Ireland chase down a mammoth total of 327/8.
The all-rounder can chip in with big hits lower down the order and contribute with medium fast bowling. He has recorded a bowling average of 18.64 and an economy rate of 7.16 in T20Is.
2. Gary Wilson
Gary Wilson took over the captaincy of the Ireland T20 team after William Porterfield stepped down from the role. The number five batsman has played 57 T20Is in his career, scoring 1,019 runs at an average of 23.69.
Wilson has shown tremendous form in the recent matches, recording scores of 58 and 45* against Scotland and Netherlands, respectively.
Wilson also notched 80* for the Northern Knights against Munster Reds in the Inter-Provincial Twenty20 Trophy in Ireland.
3. Paul Stirling
The opening batsman, Paul Stirling has played 48 T20Is for Ireland. He has scored 1,151 runs at an average of 26.76. The 27-year-old recorded scores of 81 and 51 in his last two T20Is against Scotland.
Stirling showed great form in the Royal London One-Day Cup as well, scoring 127* and 67 against Gloucestershire and Surrey for Middlesex.
4. George Dockrell
George Dockrell has played 50 T20Is for his country, picking up 58 wickets at an average of 17.68. The off-break bowler has recorded a decent economy rate of 6.50.
Dockrell has shown good form recently, returning with figures of 3/30 in the Ireland Inter-Provincial Limited Over Cup for Leinster Lightning against North-West Warriors.
Dockrell had also emerged as the highest wicket-taker in the tri-series involving Ireland, Netherland and Scotland. He took 6 wickets in 4 matches.
5. Simi Singh
Ireland have got another off-spinner in their ranks – Simi Singh. The Indian born recently arrived into the international circuit. He made his ODI debut against New Zealand in May last year and T20I debut against Netherlands earlier this month.
Simi Singh, who is predominantly a middle order batsman, has opened the bowling for Ireland in the last two T20Is.
The 31-year-old finished as the joint highest wicket-taker in the recently played tri-series. He has taken 6 wickets in 4 matches at an economy rate of 6.63.
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