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The Indian cricket team will take on Ireland in the first T20I of the two-match series at Malahide Cricket Club Ground in Dublin on Sunday, June 26.

The visitors will miss the services of some of their star players including Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant and Jasprit Bumrah, who are currently involved in the tour match against Leicestershire in the run-up to the preparation for the rescheduled England-India fifth Test to be played in Edgbaston from July 1-5.

In the absence of India’s regular T20I captain Rohit Sharma, former Mumbai Indians all-rounder Hardik Pandya will lead the Men in Blue for the first time.

National Cricket Academy (NCA) chief VVS Laxman has been appointed the head coach for the Ireland series with Rahul Dravid busy coaching the Indian Test squad in England.

Mumbai Indians star Suryakumar Yadav and wicket-keeper batter Sanju Samson have made a return to the Indian T20I squad. Sunrisers Hyderabad batter Rahul Tripathi has also received his maiden India call-up following his impressive performances in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Meanwhile, Ireland have announced their 14-man T20I squad led by captain Andrew Balbirnie.

India have dominated Ireland in the T20I format, winning all the three matches that they have played so far. The last time Ireland hosted India in 2018, the visitors won both the T20Is by 143 runs and 76 runs, respectively.

Here are some of the talking points ahead of the first T20I between India and Ireland:

Hardik Pandya to make his India captaincy debut

Hardik Pandya recently impressed everyone with his captaincy as he guided his new franchise Gujarat Titans to the title on their debut season in IPL 2022. Hardik captained Gujarat in 15 matches this season, winning 11 while suffering four defeats. He has a win percentage of 73.33 so far. Furthermore, Hardik led from the front as he finished as the fourth highest run-getter in the recently-concluded IPL. The swashbuckling all-rounder amassed 487 runs in 15 matches at an average of 44.27 and a strike rate of 131.26. He also contributed with the ball by picking eight wickets at an economy of 7.27. Hardik will look to make his India captaincy debut on a winning note on Sunday.

Suryakumar Yadav and Sanju Samson to return to India’s playing XI

Mumbai Indians star batter Suryakumar Yadav is expected to make a comeback to India’s playing XI after recovering from his wrist injury. The 31-year-old sustained an injury to a muscle in his left forearm during Mumbai Indians’ clash against Gujarat Titans on May 6. Suryakumar has been a regular member in India’s T20I side since making his debut against England in March last year. The right-handed batter has scored 351 runs in 14 matches at a strike rate of 165.57 while also maintaining an average of 39.

Sanju Samson is also set to return to the playing XI in the absence of regular wicket-keeper batter Rishabh Pant. Samson has been included in the Indian T20I squad following his exploits in the IPL this season. Samson amassed 458 runs in 17 matches for Rajasthan Royals at a strike rate of 146.79.

Umran and Arshdeep eye T20I debut

With India retaining their same playing XI against South Africa in the recently-concluded five-match T20I series, VVS Laxman and the Indian team management will be tempted to give an opportunity to the likes of Umran Malik and Arshdeep Singh in the two T20Is against Ireland. Both Umran and Arshdeep have impressed the selectors in IPL 2022. While Sunrisers Hyderabad fast bowler Umran Malik claimed 22 wickets in 14 matches in IPL 2022, left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh bagged 10 wickets in 14 matches for Punjab Kings.