After an historic win in the first T20 international, Ireland will look to claim a series victory over India in Sunday’s meeting in Belfast.
The hosts claimed an unlikely 34-run victory in the first match at Stormont, but there is likely to be a response from the T20 world champions.
An excellent bowling performance from Ireland saw India bowled out for just 148, with just one batter scoring more than 25 runs.
The tourists struggled with the pace-friendly strip and the big square boundaries at the Civil Service Cricket Club, but the same venue will host Sunday’s clash.
Ireland v India Second T20I Tips Summary
Best Bet - Player Performance: Shreyas Iyer - Over 25.5 @ 5/6
Alternative Bet - Top Ireland Bowler - Matt Hollard @ 4/1
Bet Builder - India to win, Top Ireland Batter - Gareth Delany, Harshit Rana - Take 2+ Wickets @ 18/1
Ireland v India Second T20I Prediction
Best Bet - Player Performance: Shreyas Iyer - Over 25.5 @ 5/6
Shreyas Iyer was recalled to the India squad for this two-match series, having not featured for his country in the shortest format since December 2023.
His last T20 knock for India saw him smash a half-century against Australia in Bengaluru and the captain was hoping to make the most of his second chance.
Iyer, who has played 52 T20I matches, disappointed though at Stormont, making just three before being caught by George Dockrell off the bowling of Matt Hollard.
The 31-year-old will be desperate to prove his worth to the India squad with a response on Sunday, as he looks to improve his impressive T20 record.
The Punjab Kings star has scored 1107 runs at international level at an average of 29.91, including eight half-centuries.
Alternative Bet - Top Ireland Bowler - Matt Hollard @ 4/1
The pick of Ireland’s bowlers in Friday’s victory was Matt Hollard, who was awarded the Player of the Match accolade.
Hollard took 3-28 from his four overs, including the scalps of the batters at three and four - Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer.
The 27-year-old was playing in his first T20 international and seemed to take an instant liking to a pitch that offered quite a bit to the seamers.
Ireland v India Bet Builder
- India to win
- Top Ireland Batter - Gareth Delany
- Harshit Rana - Take 2+ Wickets
Pays 18/1
You have to go back to 2023 for the last time India lost a Twenty20 series while they have won three consecutive ICC titles.
Even though they struggled with the conditions, a return to the same ground should help the tourists’ attempts to level the series.
This is set to be Gareth Delany’s 93rd T20I appearance for Ireland, with the all-rounder having scored more than 1200 runs.
The 29-year-old has four T20 half-centuries to his name and came very close to claiming a fifth, when dismissed for 49 in the first game.
India paceman Harshit was one of three of the tourists’ bowling attack to claim multiple wickets in the first match.
The man from Delhi took 3-24 in his four overs, which included the wickets of both Ireland openers - Tim Tector and Ross Adair.
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Key Match Stats
- India had won 12 straight T20I series before the match-up with Ireland
- Lorcan Tucker has scored a half-century in each of the three T20 internationals in which he has captained Ireland
- Prasidh Krishna had the worst bowling figures of the first match, conceding 57 runs in his four overs
- Forty of Abhishek Sharma’s 50 runs scored in the first match, came from boundaries - seven 4s and two 6s
- Ireland’s highest score in a T20I is 235/5, which came against Oman in this year's T20 World Cup
Tactics, Form and Team News
Having won the first match, Ireland are expected to stick with the same starting XI for Sunday’s big clash.
That will mean Lorcan Tucker, who made 50 in the first match, will continue to captain the side.
Predicted Ireland XI: Tim Tector, Adair, Harry Tector, Tucker (capt / wk), Calitz, Delaney, Dockrell, Humphreys, Hollard, McCarthy, Moondra.
Suryansh Shedge is being tipped to make the India starting XI, which could see Washington Sundar drop out after scoring just nine on Friday.
Young batter Vaibhav Suryavanshi might be held back for the upcoming England series.
Predicted India XI: Samson (wk), Sharma, Kishan, Iyer (capt), Varma, Shedge, Dube, Patel, Arshdeep, Rana, Krishna.
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
