India (IND) aim to kick off their campaign on a high note as they seek their second T20 World Cup title. India have a remarkable record against Ireland (IRE), having emerged victorious in all seven T20Is played between them so far. They are considered the favourites for this encounter.

Despite India's disappointing finishes in the previous T20 and ODI World Cups, they remain strong contenders for the championship. Their recent success in T20I matches highlights their ongoing potential, having secured four victories and suffered only one loss in their last five games.

Ireland's journey to the World Cup was an arduous one, as they had to cope with challenging European qualifications after missing out on direct entry. Their perseverance paid off as they secured a commendable second-place finish. Ireland's competitive spirit is not to be underestimated, especially given their recent victories over teams like Pakistan and Afghanistan in the T20I format.

Nassau County Stadium, New York, Pitch Report: The upcoming match at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium will only be the second in the venue's history. Previously, the stadium hosted a match between Sri Lanka and South Africa on June 3, where Sri Lanka were bowled out for just 77 runs in a low-scoring encounter. South Africa also struggled in their chase, reaching the target in the 17th over. The pitch for the upcoming match is expected to be slow and sluggish, which could favour India due to their skilled spinners who can effectively utilize such conditions.

Probable Playing XIs:

• India:

• Rohit Sharma (c)

• Virat Kohli

• Suryakumar Yadav

• Hardik Pandya

• Rishabh Pant (wk)

• Shivam Dube

• Ravindra Jadeja

• Jasprit Bumrah

• Mohammed Siraj

• Kuldeep Yadav

• Arshdeep Singh

• Ireland:

• Paul Stirling (c)

• Andy Balbirnie

• Lorcan Tucker

• Harry Tector

• George Dockrell

• Gareth Delany

• Curtis Campher

• Mark Adair

• Barry McCarthy

• Josh Little

• Ben White

IND vs IRE Probable Best Players of the Match:

• Probable Best Batter: Rohit Sharma Rohit Sharma has been entering the fray with an attacking mindset, as evident in the ODI World Cup 2023. The Indian captain can bat deep into the game if he settles in. With Nassau's deck aiding the slow bowlers and spinners, he is expected to apply a subdued approach at the start before unleashing his class.

• Probable Best Bowler: Arshdeep Singh Arshdeep Singh was clinical when he played for Punjab Kings in IPL 2024. He excelled even when the Mullanpur pitch assisted the slow bowlers. He was among the wickets in most of the games played at that venue. Based on how Nassau's pitch will behave, he can be lethal with his timely yorkers and knuckle balls to deceive batters.

Prediction: Considering their superior form, depth in both batting and bowling, and historical dominance over Ireland, India is likely to emerge victorious in this clash against Ireland.

Disclaimer: The prediction is based on the understanding, analysis, and instinct of the author. While making your prediction, consider the points mentioned and make your own decision.