Also returning to the team are fast bowler Prasidh Krishna and all-rounder Shivam Dube
BCCI on Friday announced the squad for the T20I series against Ireland and the biggest news was the return of Jasprit Bumrah after a lengthy injury layoff from the game of cricket. Bumrah will also be leading the side with Ruturaj Gikwad appointed his deputy for the series. Interestingly the selectors have chosen Ruturaj as vice-captain over Sanju Samson who is likely to play as the first-choice wicketkeeper with Jitesh Sharma also in the squad as his backup. Sanju has captained Rajasthan Royals to the final of the IPL and is one of the senior players in the team along with Jasprit Bumrah.
Return of the leg spinner
Leg spinner Ravi Bishnoi also finds a place in the team along with fast bowler Prasidh Krishna. Bishnoi was a regular in the Indian team after the T20 World Cup 2021 in UAE but fell out of contention just before the next T20 World Cup in Australia last year. With the senior players rested for the Asia Cup and the World Cup it provides an opportunity for youngsters to deliver impressive performances. Rinku Singh who came into the limelight after hitting five sixes in an over has also been picked in the squad. Surya Kumar Yadav who was being seen as a potential captaincy candidate for the series hasn’t been picked and one of the reasons for that could be that he might be in the scheme of things of the Indian team for the World Cup.
Familiar faces
Tilak Varma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Arshdeep Singh, Sanju Samson, Ravi Bishnoi, Mukesh Kumar, and Avesh Khan are the only players from India’s T20I squad in West Indies that have been picked for this one as well. India has also picked Washington Sundar Shivam Dube and Shabaz Ahmed to perform the role of all-rounders in the team for the series. India squad for Ireland T20Is: 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
