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Team India‘s current T20I campaign against West Indies has faced a challenging start, marked by a four-run defeat in the series opener and another loss by two wickets in the second T20 match. The Men in Blue find themselves in a tough situation as they look ahead to their upcoming series against Ireland. With most of the key players being rested to focus on the impending Asia Cup and ODI World Cup, the series against Ireland will present its own set of challenges.
In August 2023, India is scheduled to tour Ireland for a compact three-match T20I series. However, the team’s composition for this series will be different, with several first-choice players being given rest in anticipation of the hectic schedule ahead. Notably, Hardik Pandya, who is leading the side against the West Indies, will not be part of the Ireland series. In addition, players such as Shubman Gill, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav, Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav, who are currently engaged in the Carribean series, will also be absent.
Nevertheless, the Ireland tour will mark the return of India’s pace bowler Jasprit Bumrah, who will also take on the leadership mantle for the team. Bumrah’s journey back to the field has been marked by multiple attempts to regain full fitness after a severe back injury sidelined him in September 2022. Following a successful back surgery in March of the current year. The 29-year-old has been diligently working on his recovery, including intense bowling practice in recent nets sessions. His fitness has been deemed suitable for the Ireland T20Is. Assisting Bumrah in his leadership role will be Ruturaj Gaikwad, who is set to serve as his deputy.
The India squad showcases a mix of experienced players and emerging talent, with a number of young cricketers earning their spots. The Ireland series will comprise three T20Is played over the course of five days at Malahide Cricket Club Ground, in Dublin.
The forthcoming T20 series holds immense significance for the national side of Ireland too, as it marks their return to T20 action since securing qualification for the next year T20 World Cup. This series is being approached with careful consideration, as it is a crucial element of the strategic planning aimed at preparing the team for the upcoming T20 World Cup, which is scheduled to take place in June 2024.
IRE vs IND 2023, Full Schedule:
- August 18: 1st T20I, IRE vs IND, Malahide Cricket Club Ground , Dublin, 3:00 pm local/ 7:30pm IST/ 2:00 pm GMT
- August 20: 2nd T20I, IRE vs IND, Malahide Cricket Club Ground, Dublin, 3.00 pm local/ 7:30 pm IST/ 2:00 pm GMT
- August 23: 3rd T20I, IRE vs IND, Malahide Cricket Club Ground, Dublin, 3.00 pm local/ 7:30 pm IST/ 2:00 pm GMT
IRE vs IND 2023, T20I squads:
Ireland squad: Paul Stirling (c), Andrew Balbirnie, Mark Adair, Ross Adair, Curtis Campher, Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, Fionn Hand, Josh Little, Barry McCarthy, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Theo van Woerkom, Ben White, Craig Young.
India squad: Jasprit Bumrah (c), Ruturaj Gaikwad (vc), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh, Sanju Samson (wk), Jitesh Sharma (wk), Shivam Dube, Washington Sundar, Shahbaz Ahmed, Ravi Bishnoi, Prasidh Krishna, Arshdeep Singh, Mukesh Kumar, Avesh Khan.
Also Read: Australia announces their 18-man squad for the ICC ODI World Cup 2023
