Though some criticize them as “old wine in a new bottle,” legendary Indian cricket players will stop at nothing to deviate from their antiquated model when they play Ireland in Wednesday’s T20 World Cup opener in New York.
Team India knows it is a little undercooked, but there is still much uncertainty around the ideal lineup for a drop-in pitch. As seen by the games played at the location thus far, scoring will be more challenging than in the finished IPL 2024.
However, the baggage that comes with being a favorite among those who ultimately fall short is a more significant cause for concern.
While Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have won international trophies, several other “once in a generation” cricket players, such as Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja, have not, and they would be delighted to do so at last.
The most moving image from the ODI World Cup last year was of a heartbroken Rohit silently making his way up the stairs of the Narendra Modi Stadium dressing room after losing to Australia in the final. He was attempting to hide his well-behaved eyes from the television cameras.
In addition, Kohli could not direct more than a short glance toward the platform housing the trophy following his 765 crucial runs.
Even though India has trusted its most seasoned players, it is indisputable that this current group has failed far too frequently at the last two hurdles. The best players don’t always add up to form the best squad.
At 37, Rohit’s time in the white-ball World Cup is gone, and it’s unlikely that he’ll be around for the 50-over World Cup in South Africa in 2027 and the upcoming T20 World Cup in India.
In the lung-opener, India will face a very brave Irish squad that includes some excellent T20 players, such as Paul Stirling, Josh Little, Harry Tector, and Andy Balbirnie.
It would be interesting to see how India lines up against Irish left-arm spinner George Dockrell on a slow track with a subpar outfield at the Nassau County ground.
Except for Bumrah, India’s speed attack appears a little lackluster without the incomparable Mohammed Shami. However, their spinners are far superior to the Irish team’s.
Just as the Indians are at the top, having too many options isn’t always ideal. They will most likely have to give up Yashasvi Jaiswal to accommodate team captain Rohit and their best batter, Virat Kohli.
In the practice match, Rishabh Pant’s batting at No. 3 was like a breath of new air, and Hardik Pandya’s bowling form will tell us how India does in this tournament.
Pandya took a long time on Monday at the Cantiague Park nets to bowl to Rohit, Suryakumar Yadav, and Kohli.
The Indian squad may also try to play Shivam Dube and add another spinner to the lineup if he can bowl at least three overs daily.
In the lead-up to the World Cup, Ireland defeated Pakistan in their home arena, proving once again that they are not minnows in this sport.
Balbirnie, Stirling, and Tector are formidable, although Little has minimal IPL experience with the Gujarat Titans.
Before their crucial encounter against Pakistan on Sunday, Rohit, and his team can ill afford to step on Ireland’s banana peel.
Teams:
India: India’s players are Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Sanju Samson, Yuzvendra Chahal, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma (captain), Rishabh Pant (wk), Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, and Kuldeep Yadav.
Ireland: Ireland’s players include Paul Stirling (captain), Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker (wk), Ben White, Craig Young, Mark Adair, Ross Adair, Andy Balbirnie, Curtis Campher, Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, Graham Hume, Josh Little*, Barry McCarthy, Neil Rock (wk), and Josh Little*.
Match: June 5, 2024; kickoff at 8 p.m. IST.
Also Read : Vote! Who Could Win the T20 World Cup?