Ireland vs India: Tickets for first two T20Is sold out

Team India prepares of first T20I. (Pic: @BCCI/ Twitter)

Ireland vs India: The Indian team's global popularity does add financial muscle to emerging cricket boards as Cricket Ireland realised after all tickets for the first T20 Internationals were sold out.

"The first and second Men's T20 Internationals between Ireland and India are now sold out, with the third match selling quickly," Cricket Ireland posted on its website.

All the matches will be held at 'The Village' Malahide Cricket Club Ground which has an official capacity of 11,500.

Since defeating Ireland by eight wickets in a World Twenty20 group match in England in 2009, India has won all five prior T20Is against them.
Ireland then hosted Team India twice in a two-match T20I series in 2018 and 2022, both times at the same stadium.

Also read: IND vs IRE: Five key takeaways from India's squad for Ireland T20Is

Logan Tucker, wicketkeeper-batter of the Ireland team said that they are aware of the big challenge and looking forward to making a big impression.

"Malahide generates a special feeling, especially when a big team comes to town," Tucker was quoted saying on the Cricket Ireland website.

"We know India may have a good deal of support, but to have such a big crowd it's brilliant for cricket in Ireland," he added.

"The team is quite experienced with these bigger games. We've played in World Cups; we've played against India before. We know what it's like when these big pressure games come around." Tucker knows what India brings to the table.

"They are the showpiece of the summer for fans in Ireland. We just want to make an impression, stay nice and relaxed, and play with confidence.
That's our main motto going forward."

"We've had a lot of cricket this year. We've been very well-prepped, especially in T20 cricket. We've come off a decent run there in Scotland where we managed to qualify for next year's World Cup, so I think everyone's feeling excited," he added.

The series will mark the return of pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah who will be back to lead India after an injury layoff of about one year.

Bumrah has been out with a recurring back injury since India's home series against Australia in September last year in preparation for the T20 World Cup. Bumrah will captain a second-string team, with opener Ruturaj Gaikwad serving as his deputy.

India under Hardik Pandya lost their last T20I series against the West Indies 3-2 in the Caribbean and the USA.

"We had two great games against India last summer and I think everyone's looking forward to the big build-up, and the exciting crowd. They're going to come with that energy and it is going to be great," Tucker said.

The 26-year-old is coming from a 93-ball 133 in Lightning's demolition of North West Warriors in an Inter-Provincial Cup game on Monday.
"It was good to be out there for a long period and figure out some quirks that haven't been quite right throughout the summer. It's brilliant to get that kind of energy, and that excitement, going into that big series," he said.

(With agency inputs)