Fixtures come thick and fast for the Men in Blue after the conclusion of<a href="https://www.crictracker.com/ipl-2022-3-players-on-whom-mumbai-indians-should-have-spent-more-and-bought-them-in-the-auction/"> IPL 2022</a>, as Team India are scheduled to play as many as 10 T20Is in a span of just over a month. The selection committee will have one eye on the T20I World Cup scheduled to take place in Australia, later this year. Hence, a handful of players will be given an opportunity to make a claim for their inclusion in the World Cup squad.

After a five-match T2oI series against South Africa, Team India will travel to Ireland for two T20Is. This will be a good opportunity for youngsters to showcase their talent, given that a majority of the first-team players will be with the Test squad for the postponed fifth test against England. After their underwhelming performance in the T20I World Cup last year, India have gone on to win 12 consecutive T20 matches, under the new leadership of Rohit Sharma. IPL performance will certainly play a factor in the selection of the squad for the Ireland series. In this article, we look at the probable 18-man T20I squad for the short tour of Ireland.

India&#8217;s probable 18-member squad for Ireland T20Is

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-592733" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Ruturaj-Gaikwad-2.jpg" alt="Ruturaj Gaikwad" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-592733" class="wp-caption-text">Ruturaj Gaikwad. (Photo by ISHARA S. KODIKARA/AFP via Getty Images)</figcaption>

Ruturaj Gaikwad was the standout Indian batter in the previous edition of the Indian Premier League. The 2021 Orange Cap winner has put in a few disappointing performances for Chennai Super Kings in the current campaign. However, a quickfire knock of 70 odd runs against the Gujarat Titans does certainly release a lot of pressure.

The 25-year-old batter was part of the T20I squad that white-washed West Indies and Sri Lanka at home. Hence, he is most likely to be part of the squad for the Ireland tour. Ruturaj Gaikwad has played 3 T20Is for India so far, scoring just 39 runs at an average of 13. With Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul both busy with red-ball duties, this presents a perfect opportunity for Ruturaj Gaikwad to step up with the bat.

The right-handed batter has ample time to get back among the runs in IPL 2022. Ruturaj Gaikwad will look to go into the Ireland series with a clear frame of mind, and that will be possible only if he finds his form with the bat in the latter half of IPL.

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-607580" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Ishan-Kishan-2.jpg" alt="Ishan Kishan" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-607580" class="wp-caption-text">Ishan Kishan (Photo source: Twitter)</figcaption>

Ishan Kishan is seen as someone who will open the batting for India in T20I cricket in the years to follow. The left-handed batter has been in the T20I setup for quite a while now, and his inclusion for the Ireland tour is almost a no-brainer. The southpaw has already had a fairly decent start to his T20I career, scoring 289 runs at an average of 32.11.

However, one aspect that Ishan Kishan will look to work on is his consistency. The 23-year-old throws away his wicket a bit too often, and it is high time he starts taking more responsibility. Given the absence of the senior players, Kishan should open the batting for India.

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-538084" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Prithvi-Shaw.jpg" alt="Prithvi Shaw" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-538084" class="wp-caption-text">Prithvi Shaw. (Photo Source: Twitter)</figcaption>

Prithvi Shaw has worked on several aspects of his game in the past year. The right-handed batter has made it a habit of getting off to quick starts, and he certainly does make the cut for the Ireland tour. The <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/twitter-reactions-all-round-delhi-capitals-dismantle-punjab-kings-in-one-sided-affair/">Delhi Capitals</a> batter will compete for the second opener&#8217;s slot with Ruturaj Gaikwad, with Ishan Kishan nailed down as one opener.

Prithvi Shaw has only played one T20I so far, however, with improved performances in the IPL, he could be involved in the Indian set up on a consistent basis. The Mumbai based batter toys with the bowlers in the powerplay overs, finding gaps with ease. However, Shaw has often lacked the composure to keep going once the field does spread out, failing to rotate strike.

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-379946" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Sanju-Samson-2.jpg" alt="Sanju Samson" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-379946" class="wp-caption-text">Sanju Samson. (Photo Source: Twitter)</figcaption>

Sanju Samson has been given several chances to prove his ability in the T20I squad, but he has never been able to break into the core group. Shreyas Iyer will most likely be a part of the Test squad for the England tour, hence, Sanju Samson could slot into the middle order for the Ireland series. In 13 T20I games so far, he has scored just 174 runs at an average of 14.5.

With several players fighting for the same spot in the middle order, <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/important-to-learn-come-back-stronger-in-next-game-sanju-samson-details-rrs-loss-against-gt/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sanju Samson</a> must capitalize on the Ireland tour. Samson could walk into bat at number four, which is his preferred batting position in T20 cricket. The Rajasthan Royals skipper is a sheer timer of the ball and strikes the ball effortlessly. With smaller boundaries on offer in Ireland, Sanju Samson could play a couple of big innings.

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-606508" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Suryakumar-Yadav-1.jpg" alt="Suryakumar Yadav" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-606508" class="wp-caption-text">Suryakumar Yadav. (Photo Source: BCCI)</figcaption>

Suryakumar Yadav is another player who is assured of a place in the T20I squad against Ireland. The right-handed batter is having a terrific campaign with the bat for <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/mi-vs-csk-is-the-el-clasico-of-the-ipl-jaydev-unadkat/">Mumbai Indians</a> this season, and he will hope to replicate his form in national colours. Popularly termed as &#8216;SKY,&#8217; the 31-year-old has scored 351 runs in 14 T2oI outings at an average of 39.00.

The stylish batter will most likely occupy the number three role for Team India. He is also known to be a part of the plan for the upcoming T20 World Cup, and it remains vital that he continues to deliver with the bat.

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-619388" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Deepak-Hooda.jpg" alt="Deepak Hooda" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-619388" class="wp-caption-text">Deepak Hooda. (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI)</figcaption>

Deepak Hooda is one player who has been grabbing the attention of the selectors in the ongoing edition of the Indian Premier League. The Lucknow Super Giants cricketer has already delivered a few match-winning performances for the new franchise and is likely to be on the flight to Ireland.

Deepak Hooda was also a part of the squad for the home series against West Indies and Sri Lanka. He hardly got a chance to prove himself with the top order doing the bulk of the scoring.

Looking back on his previous seasons in IPL, <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/krunal-pandya-is-like-my-brother-and-brothers-do-fight-deepak-hooda/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Deepak Hooda</a> has certainly earned his spot in the Indian T20 squad. Moreover, apart from his batting prowess, he can also prove to be a handy option with the ball in hand and is a gun fielder.

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-606056" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Venkatesh-Iyer-1.jpg" alt="Venkatesh Iyer" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-606056" class="wp-caption-text">Venkatesh Iyer (Photo source: Twitter)</figcaption>

Venkatesh Iyer is one among the many Indian players struggling in IPL 2022. The Kolkata Knight Riders batter was even demoted to the lower-middle order on the back of consecutive underwhelming performances. However, the Indian all-rounder has done nothing wrong when it comes to the international stage.

He has scored 133 runs in nine T20Is at an average of 33.25, and a strike rate over 160. With the ball, he has managed to pick up five wickets, doing the job for his captain when called upon to do so.

Venkatesh Iyer has also shown maturity in closing out games for Team India in the bilateral series against the Kiwis and Sri Lanka. Hence, there is no reason to overlook the 27-year-old all-rounder because of an unimpactful start to the IPL season.

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-379431" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Shivam-Dube.jpg" alt="Shivam Dube" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-379431" class="wp-caption-text">Shivam Dube. (Photo Source: Twitter)</figcaption>

Shivam Dube has been in superlative form in IPL 2022. The southpaw has amassed 226 runs in six innings at an average of 45.20 so far. The Chennai Super Kings batter is among the frontrunners for the <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/ipl-orange-cap/">Orange Cap</a>, and is making batting look reasonably easy out in the middle. Dube&#8217;s inspired performances in the opening part of IPL should be enough to warrant him a place in the squad for the Ireland tour.

However, the all-rounder must not get complacent and continue building on his good form. Shivam Dube has cleared the ropes on 13 occasions so far and has hit 18 boundaries. What has been more impressive about Dube this season is that he has adopted a much more mature approach to his batting. Whilst, the Chennai batters have failed to get amongst the runs, Shivam Dube is scoring runs for fun out there in the middle.

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-525076" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Hardik-Pandya.jpg" alt="Hardik Pandya" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-525076" class="wp-caption-text">Hardik Pandya. (Photo Source: Getty Images)</figcaption>

All the fuss around Hardik Pandya&#8217;s fitness levels seems to be finally settled down, as the Indian all-rounder has come out all guns blazing in IPL 2022. The Gujarat Titans skipper has been shouldering more responsibility, walking into bat at No. four, and even opening the bowling for his franchise. If <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/hardik-pandya-has-played-with-great-maturity-he-has-absolutely-thrived-in-captaincy-role-gary-kirsten/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Hardik Pandya</a> is able to prove his fitness levels after a rigorous IPL season, he will certainly be a part of the squad for the Ireland series.

With the absence of several senior players, Hardik Pandya could be handed the captaincy. He has shown his ability as a leader, whilst captaining Gujarat Titans in the ongoing edition of IPL.

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-627335" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Dinesh-Karthik-2.jpg" alt="Dinesh Karthik" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-627335" class="wp-caption-text">Dinesh Karthik. (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI)</figcaption>

At the moment, it seems that whatever Dinesh Karthik touches turns into gold. The Indian wicket-keeper batter is having a terrific IPL campaign, scoring 210 runs at an average of 210. The Royal Challengers Bangalore batter has been dismissed just once in the tournament and has a strike rate of over 200.

It will certainly be a harsh decision if the veteran batter is not considered for selection for the Ireland series. The selectors will be wary of his age, given that he is in his mid-30s, as the Irish tour presents an ideal opportunity to test younger players. However, we expect Karthik to make the cut, and also feature in the playing 11 for the Ireland series.

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-581617" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Axar-Patel.jpg" alt="Axar Patel" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-581617" class="wp-caption-text">Axar Patel. (Photo by Pankaj Nangia/Getty Images)</figcaption>

Axar Patel will be included in the T20I squad as the sole off-spinner. The all-rounder has an outside chance of making it to the T20 World Cup squad, but he will be handed an opportunity against Ireland, in the absence of Ravindra Jadeja and <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/ipl-2022-i-believe-this-will-happen-a-lot-in-the-coming-days-ravichandran-ashwin-on-retiring-out/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ravichandran Ashwin</a>. Axar Patel has shown his potential as a pinch hitter in the IPL season and could occupy the number eight role for his Team India.

Irish players are often susceptible to spin bowling, and Axar Patel could create a huge dent in the opposition batting lineup with his four overs. He has picked up 13 wickets in 15 T2oI games and has an economy rate of under seven.

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-538597" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Bhuvneshwar-Kumar.jpg" alt="Bhuvneshwar Kumar" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-538597" class="wp-caption-text">Bhuvneshwar Kumar. (Photo Source: Getty Images)</figcaption>

The selectors have shown incredible amount of faith in Bhuvneshwar Kumar over the years, despite his substandard performances with the ball. The Indian pacer is expected to be in the squad for the Ireland series, as the lead pacer. Moreover, his ability to swing the ball can come handy in the Irish conditions.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar has put up some good displays in IPL 2022 so far, particularly with the new ball. With the T20 World Cup just around the corner, the veteran pacer will look to put in impactful performances to make a strong claim for selection in the Indian squad. In 59 T20I games, he has picked up 58 wickets at an economy rate of just under seven, and an average of 26.

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-469714" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Thangarasu-Natarajan-1.jpg" alt="Thangarasu Natarajan" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-469714" class="wp-caption-text">Thangarasu Natarajan. (Photo by Cameron Spencer &#8211; CA/Cricket Australia via Getty Images)</figcaption>

T. Natarajan is finally back into the mix for a place in the Indian squad, after being marred by injury in 2021. The left-arm pacer has picked up 12 wickets in six matches at an average of 17.33, and has done an exceptional job in the slog overs for Sunrisers Hyderabad.

If Natarajan is able to keep fit for the rest of the year, one can certainly expect to see him included in the <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/lalchand-rajput-picks-his-spinners-for-indias-t20-world-cup-squad/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">T20 World Cup</a> squad. Speaking about the series against Ireland, Natarajan will surely be a part of the squad, as the sole left-arm pacer.

In four T20I matches so far, he has picked up seven wickets at an average of 17.42. He put on a couple of good displays in the three-match T20I series against Australia in 2020 and will hope to return to the Indian team with a bang.

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-581224" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Harshal-Patel-1.jpg" alt="Harshal Patel" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-581224" class="wp-caption-text">Harshal Patel. (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI)</figcaption>

Harshal Patel had a breakthrough IPL season in 2021, where he had over 30 wickets to his name. The reigning <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/ipl-purple-cap/">Purple Cap</a> winner has shown that he is no one season wonder, and has done a stellar job in IPL 2022. In six outings so far, Harshal Patel has managed to pick up 8 wickets at an average of 21.88.

The Royal Challengers Bangalore cricketer is very economical in the death overs, as he has a bunch of variations stacked in his armory. He has kickstarted his T20I career on a positive note, having 11 scalps to his name in just eight outings.

Harshal Patel has been involved in the T20I plans for Team India, ever since the disappointing World Cup campaign in 2021. Hence, the 31-year-old should be one of the first names in the squad for the Ireland series.

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-608166" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Avesh-Khan.jpg" alt="Avesh Khan" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-608166" class="wp-caption-text">Avesh Khan (Photo source: Twitter)</figcaption>

Avesh Khan is another bowler who grabbed the limelight in IPL 2021. The former Delhi Capitals pacer has backed up his good performances from last season, picking up 11 wickets in seven outings in IPL 2022. The 25-year-old is a very dynamic bowler, who can bowl effectively at any stage in the game.

Avesh was handed his T20I debut recently, and he has two scalps to his name in as many games. The Lucknow Super Giants pacer will be among the four pure pacers to be included in the squad for the series against Ireland.

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-607959" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Chahal-4.jpg" alt="Yuzi Chahal" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-607959" class="wp-caption-text">Yuzi Chahal (Photo source: Twitter)</figcaption>

Yuzvendra Chahal is in the form of his life at the moment. The wrist spinner is the current holder of the Purple Cap, having 17 scalps to his name in six innings at an average of just 10.35. Chahal has also managed to pick up a <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/ipl-2022-yuzvendra-chahal-picks-a-sensational-hattrick-against-kkr-comes-up-with-a-special-celebration/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">hattrick</a> and a five-wicket haul in IPL 2022 so far. The experienced spinner was omitted from the T20I World Cup squad last year, which certainly raised a few eyebrows.

However, Chahal has quickly put the disappointment behind him, and has made massive improvements in terms of his bowling. He also played a vital part in the T20I series against Sri Lanka and West Indies, earlier this year. Chahal will be one of the three wrist spinners in the Indian squad.

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-605472" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Ravi-Bishnoi.jpg" alt="Ravi Bishnoi" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-605472" class="wp-caption-text">Ravi Bishnoi. (Photo Source: Twitter/BCCI)</figcaption>

Ravi Bishnoi fits into the long term T20 plans for Team India. The wrist-spinner bowled in tandem with <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/yuzvendra-chahal-is-most-experienced-leg-spinner-in-india-and-ipl-2022-lasith-malinga/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Yuzvendra Chahal</a> in the bilateral series against West Indies. In four T20I matches so far, Bishnoi has picked up four wickets at an average of 27.0, and an economy rate of just 6.75.

Only one of Bishnoi, Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav will most likely be included in the 15-man squad for the World Cup, scheduled to take place later this year. Hence, the 21-year-old must be at his best in the two-match T20I series against Ireland in June.

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-541866" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Kuldeep-Yadav-2.jpg" alt="Kuldeep Yadav" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-541866" class="wp-caption-text">Kuldeep Yadav. (Photo by ISHARA S. KODIKARA/AFP via Getty Images)</figcaption>

We are witnessing a 2.0 version of Kuldeep Yadav in IPL 2022. The young spinner witnessed a huge decline in form in the past three years, and often found himself warming the bench for his IPL franchise. He picked up just five IPL wickets between 2019-2021, and there were serious questions raised for his selection in the Indian squad against West Indies and Sri Lanka.

However, Kuldeep Yadav has answered his critics in style, being a standout performer for <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/ipl-2022-delhi-capitals-players-test-negative-for-covid-19-in-fresh-round-of-rt-pcr-testing/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Delhi Capitals</a> in IPL 2022. The wrist spinner has picked up 13 wickets in six outings this season, picking up atleast one wicket in each game.

His performances will certainly help him retain his place in the Indian T20I squad. Kuldeep Yadav was not handed a single game against either West Indies or Sri Lanka, however, he will surely be in the playing XI against Ireland, for atleast one game as he looks to stake a claim in the T20 World Cup squad.

Shivam Dube and Dinesh Karthik are among the few players who could earn a call up to the Indian T20I side.

India's probable 18-member squad for Ireland T20Is

Here is the probable list of 18 players who will be included in the India squad for the T20I series against Ireland.

India's probable 18-member squad for Ireland T20Is

Shivam Dube and Dinesh Karthik are among the few players who could earn a call up to the Indian T20I side.

6) Deepak Hooda

7) Venkatesh Iyer