India will start their preparation for the England tour when they square off against Ireland in the first of the two-match Twenty20 International series on June 27 (Wednesday) in Dublin.
Meanwhile, India has picked a full-strength squad and will be keen to adjust to the challenging conditions ahead of the all-important England series. They have struggled to counter the swinging and overcast conditions in England in the past and there is no better way to prepare than get a few games under the belt, and there is no place more suitable than Ireland.
Coming from the back of the IPL, India will have a problem of plenty to choose their playing XI.
However, it is likely that KL Rahul will slot in the playing XI based on his recent exploits. Otherwise, it looks like the same old team with Virat Kohli returning to lead the side again.
Here is the predicted XI of Indian Cricket Team:
Rohit Sharma
The swashbuckling opener will be keen to find his touch back after having a disastrous IPL. Meanwhile, Ireland doesn’t have the most potent of bowling attacks, and he will look to cash on it. India will bank on Rohit to put a good score on the board.
Shikhar Dhawan
Shikhar Dhawan will partner Rohit Sharma to start the innings for the men in blues. Dhawan has been in rich form for the Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL and also notched a hundred in a one-off Test against Afghanistan.
Dhawan had performed phenomenally in England in the past and his knowledge of the conditions will come in handy for the Indians on their gruelling tour.
Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli will be back to lead the side after nursing his shoulder injury. Meanwhile, he recently stated he is fully fit and raring to go. The Indian skipper can tear apart Ireland bowling if he get’s going, especially during the chase.
Moreover, Kohli had a decent IPL and will look to get some runs before the England series.
KL Rahul
KL Rahul has been in spectacular form in the recently concluded IPL for the Kings XI Punjab. He finished as the second highest run-scorer and made into the national team.
Rahul will be eager to continue his purple patch and cement his place in the playing XI.
Suresh Raina
It could be Suresh Raina’s final chance to cement his place in the Indian side. Raina has been far too hit and miss even after his return and did not have a great IPL season either with the Chennai Super Kings.
Raina generally tends to struggle against the short ball and the Irish will target that against the southpaw.
MS Dhoni
MS Dhoni was at his vintage best in the IPL and led his side Chennai Super Kings to the third title. Although he had struggled in challenging conditions, this will be a perfect opportunity to get going against a weaker line-up.
Meanwhile, he is still the best with the gloves on despite having the age on the other side.
Hardik Pandya
Hardik Pandya, over the years, has cemented his place, as India’s premier all-rounder. However, his inconsistency with the bat is still a concern for the team management.
Kohli has shown a lot of trust in Pandya, as he will be keen to stand tall on the trust.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar
Bhuvneshwar Kumar had led India’s bowling unit in the limited-overs game for quite some time now. He has brilliant with his line and length and has provided early breakthroughs.
Although he didn’t have a good IPL, he will look to hit the right notes from the first game.
Kuldeep Yadav
Since making his debut last, the young wrist-spinner didn’t have look back. He has become one of India’s premier spinners in the white ball game and Kohli has backed his abilities.
With plenty of variations under his armour, Kuldeep will be a force to reckon.
Yuzvendra Chahal
Yuzvendra Chahal has forged a spectacular partnership with Kuldeep and Kohli will bank on them in this tour. The duo had a brilliant time in South Africa and will be keen to replicate the effort.
Chahal has grown into a match-winner and the management will want a superlative performance from him.
Jasprit Bumrah
Jasprit Bumrah struggled this season in the IPL, but he remains one of the best death bowlers in the world. His partnership with Bhuvneshwar has made India’s fast bowling strong.
His unorthodox action and slower balls make him dangerous in this format.
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