Ireland vs India, 2018: Five Irish players to watch out for

Virat Kohli and Co. are all set to take on Ireland at the Mark Hawthorne in Dublin for a two-match T20 series that kicks off today (June 27). The Asian giants will be keen on initiating their long summer on a winning note and thus, will look to get a couple of wins under their belt before travelling to England for an extensive tour.

Ireland, who recently played, and impressed, in the very first Test match in their history, will also want to make a statement in the series. India is the first elite opponent they will face in limited overs cricket after a long time, which will thereby spur them further going into the series.

Considering the limitations of their bowling attack, the hosts will rely heavily on the experience and exuberance of their batting line-up to put up a fight against India in the series. It will not be easy for Ireland by any stretch of the imagination, but if their batsmen and all-rounders manage to click on the field, they can certainly compete thoroughly against the star-studded opposition.

Here are five Irish players to watch out for in the series:

---

#5 Simi Singh

The all-rounder will take on his home country for the first time

This Punjab-born Irish cricketer, who is still taking nascent steps in international cricket, will have a tough yet special test to overcome against Virat Kohli and his men.

On Wednesday (June 27), Simranjeet Singh will take on his homeland, in a bid to cement his place in Ireland's playing XI. It will be interesting to see how the all-rounder responds to this challenge-cum-opportunity ahead of him.

The 31-year-old has churned out a couple of notable performances for the island-nation in the seven ODIs and four T20Is that he has been a part of, but is yet to prove his indispensability in the playing XI. The games against India will be an ideal foothold for Singh to climb to the next phase of his career, if and when, he holds his nerves and express himself on the field without any inbuilt apprehensions or inhibitions.

#4 William Porterfield

The veteran batsman has just come off the back of a double century

Former Irish captain, William Porterfield, will be one of the most important players for the hosts going into the games against India. While he has struggled with the bat for the national side in the last few matches, he scored a brilliant 207 for the North-West Warriors in the Inter-Provincial Series last week.

The double century will give the right-handed batsman a truckload of confidence ahead of the India series, making him one of the marquee players for Ireland going into the contest.

The fact that Porterfield stepped down as the Irish T20 skipper earlier this month means that he would play without the additional pressure of leadership on his shoulders after a long time. This will certainly fall in his favour, helping the 33-year-old feel relaxed yet motivated going up against the strong Indian side.

#3 Gary Wilson

This will be the toughest test in Wilson's captaincy career so far

The newly-appointed Irish skipper has been in good form for the island-nation off late, scoring five 40-plus scores in his last nine T20 innings in international cricket. For Ireland to give India a run for their money, it is absolutely vital for their leader to step up in both the games.

This is the first time Wilson will take on a high-profile opponent as the captain of the Irish side, and it will be interesting to see whether he manages to get the best out of himself and his team this week.

Individually, it will be important for the 32-year-old to stay put with the will as to provide the finishing impetus to the hosts in their batting innings.

#2 Paul Stirling

A lot will be riding on the shoulders of the right-handed batsman

This opening batsman, who is considered to be one of the best cricketers to don the Irish jersey, will be an integral part of their plans once again as they take on the Men in Blue on Wednesday.

Paul Stirling has played 48 T20 internationals for Ireland to date, notching up eight 50-plus scores with a batting average of almost 27. His current form will infuse the Irish fans with optimism, more so considering his consistency in both county cricket as well as international fixtures.

His off-break bowling might even come in handy for Wilson against India, who will play multiple left-handers in the likes of Shikhar Dhawan and Suresh Raina in their batting order.

#1 Kevin O'Brien

Earlier this month, O'Brien became the first ever centurion for Ireland in Test cricket

The legacy of this incredible all-rounder in Irish cricket has scaled legendary heights even before his retirement.

Be it their historic triumph over England in the 2011 World Cup, or their inspired performance against Pakistan in their maiden Test match, Kevin O'Brien has always been a stand-out performer for Ireland in its most important games through the years.

Now, as they face off against India before their home crowd after 11 years, the 34-year-old will be the vital cog to their success yet again. On his day, this right-handed batsman can terrorize any bowling attack in the world, grabbing the game by the scruff of its neck with this terrific strokeplay.

Kohli and Co. will be definitely wary of him ahead of the series, more so after the impeccable century he hit against Pakistan in white flannels earlier this month.