IRE vs IND | Aakash Chopra makes his predictions for first T20I

Azhar Mohamed

Former cricketer Aakash Chopra has given his take on the first T20I between Ireland and India to be played later today (Sunday, June 26) at 9:00 PM IST. Speaking of the match on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra said he expects a performance with the bat from Suryakumar Yadav and skipper Hardik Pandya.


Suryakumar Yadav makes a comeback into the national side after being on the sidelines due to a left forearm injury he sustained during IPL 2022. Meanwhile, Hardik Pandya will be leading the national side for the first time, and this is said to be due to his captaincy in the IPL, which saw Gujarat Titans win in their inaugural season of the extravaganza. 


"Suryakumar Yadav who has come back, up above the world so high SKY will shine like a diamond, and Hardik Pandya will together score more than 60 runs, that's what I feel. The big question will be if Surya should bat at three or four, I will play him at three, and Hardik will come at four or five," he said. 


Aakash Chopra also expects Bhuvneshwar Kumar will play a key role with the new ball and also expects Yuzvendra Chahal to wreak havoc. Aakash Chopra pointed out stats showing that Ireland overall as a team are not known to be great players of spin. 


"Bhuvi and Chahal will together take more than three wickets. Bhuvi will bowl with the new ball, and Chahal demolished them last time. It is definitely a four-year-old thing, but this team doesn't play spin that well, that is known around the world," he added.


Speaking about the opposition, Chopra said that he feels that it will be Curtis Campher and Paul Stirling among the runs. Paul Stirling is the nation's top run-getter in T20I cricket, while Curtis Campher has shown glimpses of his talent in the chances he has got so far.


"Curtis Campher and Paul Stirling will together score more than 45 runs. You might say that Stirling does not have the form if you see his last few matches, but form is temporary; Paul Stirling is a good player. He bowls a little as well. Curtis Campher's stature is growing." 


Aakash Chopra concluded by adding that India will win the two-match series 2-0, just like how they did back in their tour to Ireland in 2018. 


"This time, I feel there is no danger to my prediction because I am saying India to win."