Jasprit Bumrah
In a significant development, Team India is poised for a change in leadership as they gear up for their upcoming match in the United Kingdom (UK). The reins of the squad has been handed over to star fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah, who will spearhead the second-string Indian contingent in their series against hosts Ireland.
The forthcoming three-match series against Ireland will serve as the platform for the seasoned pacer Bumrah to make a resounding comeback to international cricket.
Bumrah had been sidelined for an extended period of almost 11 months due to a persistent back injury.
Prominent Inclusions: Notable Players in India’s Second-String Squad
Taking on the role of deputy to the fully-recovered Bumrah for the Ireland series will be Indian opener Ruturaj Gaikwad.
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Bumrah’s absence from competitive cricket persisted since the conclusion of India’s home T20I series against Australia in September of the previous year.
His absence also extended to the T20 World Cup and the Asia Cup in the subsequent months.
Joining the comeback trail alongside the formidable Bumrah is speedster Prasidh Krishna. After a prolonged spell on the sidelines caused by a lumbar stress fracture sustained during India’s tour of Zimbabwe in August the previous year, Krishna is poised to make a triumphant return to the field.
Key Players Retain Spots in T20I Lineup
The ranks of India’s second-string squad also feature players such as Jitesh Sharma, Rinku Singh, and Shivam Dube.
Additionally, Indian opener Yashasvi Jaiswal, Mukesh Kumar, Arshdeep Singh, Tilak Varma, Avesh Khan, and Sanju Samson have all successfully retained their spots in the Indian T20I squad following the recent West Indies series.
Guided by the leadership of Bumrah, the second-string Indian lineup aspires to mount a strong resurgence after a narrow 3-2 defeat against the West Indies in the Caribbean.
In the absence of Yuzvendra Chahal, Ravindra Jadeja, and Kuldeep Yadav, the Indian team will rely on the spin trio comprising Ravi Bishnoi, Shahbaz Ahmed, and Washington Sundar to take charge against Ireland.
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Embarking on their journey to Ireland, Bumrah’s Team India commenced their travel preparations on Tuesday. The three-match T20I series, slated to unfold in Dublin, holds significant promise.
Interestingly, neither head coach Rahul Dravid nor National Cricket Academy (NCA) chief VVS Laxman will be accompanying the Indian squad for the Ireland series.
Instead, coaches Sitanshu Kotak and Sairaj Bahutule will contribute their insights as part of the Indian think tank ahead of India’s final white-ball series before the much-anticipated Asia Cup 2023.
