Stat Attack: India vs Ireland in T20Is - Who holds the edge? Will Rain Wash Out First Game In Dublin

India vs Ireland: It's anyone's guess who is the favoured. T20 cricket, on the other hand, is the most unpredictable and volatile format of the game.

The Men in Blue will be without some of their greatest players in the three-match T20I series against Ireland. Jasprit Bumrah will make his competitive cricket comeback today after not playing since September 2022.

Jasprit Bumrah, who was injured for 11 months, is back and ready to bowl long spells for India in the Asia Cup and ODI World Cup at home.

Bumrah will bowl four overs in Ireland's T20 series, having last played in September 2022. His goal is to prepare for 50-over games such as the Asia Cup.

Rinku Singh and Jitesh Sharma are on their maiden national assignment in Ireland, and the duo shared their delight and excitement at reaching the top rung of Indian cricket on Thursday.

TimesofIndia.com looks at some of the most noteworthy statistics in the India vs Ireland T20I rivalry ahead of the first T20I in Dublin:

India's magnificent triumph by 143 runs at Dublin on June 29, 2018 remains their biggest in terms of runs in T20Is away from home.

The aforesaid win is India's second biggest win in terms of runs behind the 168-run triumph vs New Zealand at Ahmedabad on February 1, 2023.

Scotland recorded 252 for three vs Netherlands on September 16, 2019 - the only total of 250-plus at Dublin.

Ireland registered 70 off 12.3 overs vs India on June 29, 2018 - the lowest total by any team at Dublin. Yuzvendra Chahal (3/21) and Kuldeep Yadav (3/16) performed admirably.

India have won all four T20Is played vs Ireland at Dublin - two each in 2018 and 2022. Having won by eight wickets in a World Cup fixture at Trent Bridge on June 10, 2009, India have won all five T20Is against them.

Two hundreds have been recorded in T20Is at Malahide, Dublin. Scotland's George Munsey posted an unbeaten 127 vs Netherlands on September 16, 2019.

India's Deepak Hooda registered 104 off 57 balls vs Ireland at Dublin on June 28, 2022 -his maiden century in T20Is.

Lokesh Rahul's strike rate of 194.44 during his 70 off 36 balls at Dublin on June 29, 2018 remains the highest by an Indian batter in an innings of 50-plus vs Ireland

Rohit Sharma (97 off 61 balls) had narrowly missed recording a hundred vs Ireland at Dublin on June 27 2018.

Kyle Coetzer and George Munsey put on 200 runs for the first wicket for Scotland vs Netherlands on Sept 16, 2019 - the only double century stand by any pair at Dublin.

Deepak Hooda and Sanju Samson shared a stand of 176 for the second wicket vs Ireland on June 28, 2022 - the highest partnership for India for any wicket at Dublin.

The aforesaid stand is the highest by any pair for any wicket for India in T20Is.

Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma put on 160 for the first wicket vs Ireland on June 27, 2018 - India's highest opening stand at Dublin.

Kuldeep Yadav's excellent figures of 4 for 21 vs Ireland on June 27, 2018 remain the best by any bowler at this venue.

Left-arm wrist spinner Tabraiz Shamsi's performance of 4 for 27 vs Ireland on July 19, 2021 are the second best at Dublin.

Peter Chase's career-best performance of 4 for 35 vs India on June 27, 2018 are the best by an Ireland bowler against any opponent at Dublin.

Deepak Hooda top-scored in both the T20Is in 2022 - 47 not out on June 26 and 104 on June 28. He was named the player of the series for his 151 (ave 151.00).

After recording his worst figures (4-0-50-0) in his last T20I (vs Australia at Hyderabad on September 25, 2022), Indian captain Jasprit Bumrah will be playing his first game.

Arshdeep is all set to complete his 50 wickets and become the eighth Indian bowler to accomplish the feat in T20Is. His present tally is 48 at 18.43 runs apiece in 31 matches.

In 2018, Yuzvendra Chahal was adjudged the Player of the series for taking 6 wkts at 9.83 runs apiece.

Will Rain Ruins The Match

There is also a yellow warning for rain in Dublin on August 18 which has been sounded, signaling a potential delay or even worse, disruption to the first T20I match as well.

Meanwhile, Jasprit Bumrah is back now and has confirmed that he has no restrictions and will be able to bowl full tilt in a much-needed relief for fans ahead of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 in October-November.

“You have to respect your body and give it time to recover. But what it does is makes you hungry,” he said in a press conference ahead of the first T20I against Ireland.

“I understood the moment my body recovered, I could do that little bit extra. I'm not holding back. I have had many net sessions. Not just at NCA even back home with the Gujarat team. I have no restrictions. The body feels good,” added Bumrah.

Will Rain Ruins The Match

A yellow rain warning for Dublin on August 18 has also been issued, indicating a probable delay or, worse, disruption to the first T20I match.

Meanwhile, Jasprit Bumrah has returned and announced that he has no restrictions and will be ready to bowl full force, providing supporters with much-needed respite ahead of the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 in October-November.