The year 2022 belongs to Dinesh Karthik. Having made his comeback to the national side following a fantastic season in the Indian T20 League 2022, Karthik is the talk of the town. 

While his previous stint at the Kolkata franchise was not very productive, Karthik was snapped up for 5.5 crores by the Bangalore franchise for the 2022 season. From a tactical standpoint, the way the batting order was devised worked beautifully for DK.

Karthik has benefited from Bangalore's longer and more diverse batting order. Virat Kohli and Faf du Plessis are both significantly stronger pace players than spinners at the top of the order, prompting teams to burn their spin overs early. 

In the same vein, while Wanindu Hasaranga's batting had not been especially effective this season, he is a spin hitter who will bat at number eight or number nine with pace smasher Harshal Patel. If opponents would hold back a spinner against Bangalore to deploy against Karthik, they could respond with the Sri Lankan's pinch-hitter abilities, which will protect their top finisher.

Karthik has had far too many rebuild and rescue missions this season for the team to take credit for his accomplishments, but there is a framework that has provided him with a nice environment in which to thrive.

Compare that with his time at the Kolkata franchise. He was frequently batting alongside Andre Russell, a substantially better player with a similar penchant for pace bowling. Teams had the added benefit of being able to target Karthik and Pat Cummins if they kept back spin for Dre at the end. When you consider that many of Kolkata's other players (Eoin Morgan, Sunil Narine, and Nitish Rana) have a weakness for fast bowling and prefer spin, the decision to backload your spin overs was often easier than you may think.

That doesn’t mean that all of Karthik’s success this season has been due to the structure. It is no secret that DK is a better player of pace than spin. Yet, he has done exceptionally well against spinners though, averaging 7.3 runs per over with only two dismissals per 50 balls. It's about living and protecting his wicket, and there have been instances when he's taken down specific bowlers. But it is Karthik's destruction of pace that has been the genuine genius of this campaign; a scoring rate of 14.7 runs per over.

This season, he's been used perfectly in games when he was held back until the pace attack began. Karthik has been thrown in during the halfway point of games to prevent collapses, and he has been just as successful. He has been sent in too soon and too late, and his success is a result of wise use as a problem solver.

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Featured photo: Twitter/DineshKarthik

The Indian cricket team will take on hosts Ireland in the first T20I of the two-match series at the Malahide Cricket Club Ground in Dublin on Sunday, June 26. The match will start at 9:00 PM IST (Indian Standard Time).

India will miss the services of some of their star players including Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja, who are currently playing in the tour match against Leicestershire ahead of the rescheduled England-India fifth Test at Edgbaston starting July 1.

In the absence of India’s regular T20I captain Rohit Sharma, who has tested positive for COVID-19, India will be led by Hardik Pandya for the first time.

On the other hand, Andrew Balbirnie-led Ireland will look to provide a tough fight to India at their home.

IRE vs IND Dream11 prediction

India have a dominant head-to-head record against 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 T20I matches comprehensively.

Going by past head-to-head record and recent form, IND will start as overwhelming favourites against IRE heading into Sunday’s T20I encounter.

IRE vs IND Dream11 team tips for India tour of Ireland 2022

Top Tip: Best batter 

India’s Ishan Kishan will be the player to watch out for in the first T20I. The swashbuckling opening batter was the highest run-getter in the recently-concluded T20I series against South Africa, amassing 206 runs in five matches at a strike rate of 150.36 and an average of 41.20. Kishan will look to continue his impressive form against Ireland on Sunday.

Top Tip: Best bowler

Among the bowlers, India’s vice-captain Bhuvneshwar Kumar could once again be the difference-maker. The 32-year-old fast bowler will be high on confidence after being adjudged the Player of the Series against South Africa. He picked six wickets in five matches at an impressive economy of just 6.07. Considering the conditions in Dublin, Bhuvneshwar could be the wrecker-in-chief for India and will be a worthy fantasy pick for this match.

Top Tip: Best all-rounder and wicket-keeper

As far as all-rounders are concerned, India captain Hardik Pandya will be the overwhelming choice. Hardik scored 117 runs at a strike rate of 153.94 and an average of 58.50 against South Africa. Apart from his batting credentials, Hardik has bowl crucial overs for his team. At 9.5 credits, he could be a valuable addition to any fantasy team.

For the wicket-keeper spot, India’s Dinesh Karthik pips Lorcan Tucker of Ireland. Karthik has been in great form with the bat recently, scoring 92 runs at a strike rate of 158.62 against South Africa. He has also been safe behind the stumps. The India wicket-keeper will be a good fantasy pick at 9 credits.

IRE vs IND full squads

India: Hardik Pandya (captain), Bhuvneshwar Kumar (vice-captain), Ishan Kishan, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Sanju Samson (wicket-keeper), Suryakumar Yadav, Venkatesh Iyer, Deepak Hooda, Rahul Tripathi, Dinesh Karthik (wicket-keeper), Yuzvendra Chahal, Axar Patel, Ravi Bishnoi, Harshal Patel, Avesh Khan, Arshdeep Singh, Umran Malik

Ireland: Andrew Balbirnie (captain), Mark Adair, Curtis Campher, Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, Stephen Doheny (wicket-keeper), Josh Little, Andrew McBrine, Barry McCarthy, Conor Olphert, Paul Stirling, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker (wicket-keeper), Craig Young

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Featured photo: Aamir QURESHI / AFP

Following a very productive Indian T20 League and an excellent home series versus South Africa, Dinesh Karthik has been the talk of the town. His career spells longevity, but he has had his fair share of ups and downs. Specialising now as a finisher in the shortest format of the game, Karthik is at the top of his game.

Under MS Dhoni’s shadow

On December 1, 2006, India played South Africa in their first-ever T20 International in Johannesburg, and Karthik made his debut in the format. Karthik led India to a thrilling six-wicket victory over the Proteas with an unbeaten 31 from 28 balls. Karthik then saw such a promising start eaten up by the excellent career of none other than MS Dhoni.

And yet, Karthik has never wavered in his quest for a spot in the national squad. When he realised he wouldn't be able to play as a wicketkeeper-batter in the playing XI because of Dhoni's presence, he refined his batting skills and made many appearances for India as a specialist batter.

ODI World Cup disappointment 

At the 2019 ODI World Cup in England, Karthik made another comeback as a specialist batter. After failing to create an impression during the competition, he was once again dropped from the team. He was already 34 years old. His international career appeared to be coming to an end. But it didn't end there.

Dinesh Karthik then made his way back to India’s T20 set-up after a long gap of three years, for the series vs South Africa.

Indian T20 League 2022 resurgence

He also had a dismal Indian T20 League career with the Kolkata franchise in 2021. The veteran, however, took the competition by storm in 2022 after being purchased by the Bangalore franchise, whose batting structure seemed to compliment him. He was bought for Rs 5.50 crore at the auction. In 16 games, he scored 330 runs at an incredible strike rate of 183.33.

International team-mate Hardik Pandya hailed Karthik’s inspirational comeback. “I remember the conversation you were having when you were not in the scheme of things, a lot of people counted you out,�Hardik told Karthik during a chat hosted by the BCCI. 

“I remember those conversations. You told me then that my goal is to play for India again and the goal is to play this World Cup. I am going to give it my everything, and seeing you achieve that is very inspirational.

“A lot of people are going to learn new things. Well done my brother, very proud of you,�Hardik added.

Featured photo: AFP / INDRANIL MUKHERJEE

The Indian cricket team will host South Africa in a five-match T20 series scheduled to start on Thursday, June 9.  

The BCCI selection committee has announced an 18-man squad for the upcoming T20I series. Keeping in mind workload management and the rescheduled Test against England in Edgbaston to be played from July 1, the board has decided to rest several of their star players including captain Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami.

In the absence of India’s regular T20I skipper, BCCI has announced KL Rahul as the captain and Rishabh Pant as his deputy for the South Africa series.

Several standout players in the ongoing edition of the Indian T20 League have also been rewarded with a spot in the squad. Bangalore wicket-keeper Dinesh Karthik and Gujarat captain Hardik Pandya have made a return to the T20I squad following their impressive performances in the Indian T20 League. 

Young pacers Umran Malik and Arshdeep Singh have also received their maiden India call-up after playing an important role for their respective franchises in the Indian T20 League. Malik, who delivered the fastest bowl in Indian T20 League 2022, picked 22 wickets in 14 matches while Arshdeep bagged 10 scalps in the ongoing tournament.

On the other hand, the South Africa cricket team has also announced its squad to be led by Temba Bavuma.

Middle-order batter Tristan Stubbs has received his maiden call-up to the Proteas set-up. Stubbs recently made his Indian T20 League debut for Mumbai in the Indian T20 League 2022.

Veteran all-rounder Wayne Parnell has made a return to the T20I squad for the first time since South Africa’s tour of England in 2017.

Fast bowler Anrich Nortje and batters Reeza Hendricks and Heinrich Klaasen have also been added to the squad after recovering from their respective injuries.

All five matches of the T20I series will start at 7:00 PM IST to be played in Delhi, Cuttack, Visakhapatnam, Rajkot and Bengaluru.

India vs South Africa T20I squads

India T20I squad: KL Rahul (captain), Rishabh Pant (vice-captain/wicket-keeper), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ishan Kishan, Deepak Hooda, Shreyas Iyer, Dinesh Karthik (wicket-keeper), Hardik Pandya, Venkatesh Iyer, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Ravi Bishnoi, Bhuvneshwar, Harshal Patel, Avesh Khan, Arshdeep Singh, Umran Malik

South Africa T20I squad: Temba Bavuma (captain), Quinton de Kock (wicket-keeper), Reeza Hendricks, Heinrich Klaasen (wicket-keeper), Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Wayne Parnell, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Tristan Stubbs, Rassie van der Dussen, Marco Jansen

India vs South Africa T20I schedule and live India match times

All times in India Standard Time (IST)

Where to watch India vs South Africa T20I series live in India?  

The India vs South Africa T20I series will be telecast live on Star Sports Network’s TV channels in India.

Live streaming of the India vs South Africa T20I series will be available on the Disney+ Hotstar app and JioTV. 

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Featured photo: RODGER BOSCH / AFP

Rajasthan will cross swords with Bangalore in an enthralling Indian T20 League 2022 encounter at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Tuesday, April 5.

Led by wicket-keeper batter Sanju Samson, Rajasthan have made an impressive start to their Indian T20 League campaign, winning both their matches against Hyderabad and Mumbai. The champions of the inaugural edition are currently leading the Indian T20 League 2022 standings with four points from two matches.

On the other hand, Bangalore defeated Kolkata in their previous match after losing to Punjab in their opening encounter. With two points from as many matches, Faf du Plessis�Bangalore are currently placed seventh in the standings.

Rajasthan and Bangalore have met 24 times in the Indian T20 League, with the latter winning 12 matches while the former has secured 10 victories.

Rajasthan vs Bangalore key player battles

Trent Boult vs Faf du Plessis

While Bangalore captain Faf du Plessis has amassed over 3000 runs in the Indian T20 League, he has somewhat struggled against former Mumbai pacer Trent Bout. The New Zealand left-arm pacer has dismissed du Plessis three times in the Indian T20 League. 

The former South Africa captain has scored just 37 runs in eight innings against the Kiwi pacer in the Indian T20 League.  

Yuzvendra Chahal vs Dinesh Karthik

Spinner Yuzvendra Chahal has largely troubled wicket-keeper batter Dinesh Karthik in the Indian T20 League, having dismissed the Indian veteran on three occasions. In the eight innings that he has faced against Chahal, Karthik has scored just 31 runs at a below-par strike rate of 86.11.

Sanju Samson vs Mohammed Siraj

Bangalore fast bowler Mohammed Siraj has had an upper hand against Sanju Samson in the Indian T20 League. Siraj has dismissed the Rajasthan captain twice in the high-profile T20 league, conceding just 20 runs in three innings. While Sanju has impressive overall numbers against pacers, Siraj has troubled the hard-hitting batter so far.

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Featured photo: Indian T20 League