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Key Takeaways
- 1📊 Ross Adair averages 28.84 in T20Is with a century vs South Africa
- 2🏆 Ireland stick with their originally planned 15-man World Cup squad
- 3💡 Left-right Stirling–Adair opening pair is central to Ireland’s plans
- 4🔮 Early Powerplay intent could decide Ireland’s World Cup fortunes
"Ireland include opener Ross Adair in a 15-man squad for next month's T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka. "
Ross Adair is back in Ireland colours, named in a settled 15 for next month’s T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka, restoring the exact squad the think tank had originally planned.
The explosive left-hander, a former Ulster rugby player, missed the Bangladesh T20s with a knee bone-stress issue but walks straight back into Heinrich Malan’s group. His return means Ireland stick with continuity after that 2-1 defeat in Bangladesh, backing the core that has grown together over the last two years.
Power-packed top order for subcontinent challenge
Adair’s numbers demand that faith. The opener already has a T20I century against South Africa from September 2024 and averages 28.84 in the format, striking with the kind of intent Ireland will badly need on Indian pitches. In his most recent outings, he peeled off 26 and 33 against England, forming a positive opening stand with captain Paul Stirling.
With Stirling’s experience at the top and Adair’s fearless approach, Ireland carry a left-right combination capable of taking down the Powerplay. The message from selectors is clear: no experimentation this close to a World Cup, just trust in the group that was always pencilled in.
If Ireland are to punch above their weight in Asian conditions, early aggression from Adair and calm guidance from Stirling could define how far this campaign goes.
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