While the Asian Games 2023 is still one and half months away, the preparation for Continental Cup will begin today as Jasprit Bumrah-led India will play a three-match T20 series against Ireland. Apart from Bumrah, this series will be crucial for the likes of Ruturaj Gaikwad (Captain of the Asian Games squad), Tilak Varma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Arshdeep Singh, Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh and Jitesh Sharma.
All the above players have been included in the Ireland series and will be keen to showcase their IPL form at the international stage. Gaikwad scored 590 runs for CSK in 16 games, Tilak Varma scored 343 runs at a scintillating strike rate of 164.11 for MI, and Shivam Dube and Rinku Singh amassed 418 & 474 runs for CSK and KKR respectively. While Jitesh Sharma flourished in the finishing role for PBKS by scoring 309 runs with a strike rate of 156.
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All that will count for nothing if these players do not cash in on the golden opportunity against Ireland. Varma is in phenomenal form as he scored 167 runs in five games against West Indies. Arshdeep Singh also bowled well against West Indies. However, the likes of Rinku, Shivam Dube, and Jitesh are coming off playing IPL.
Asian Games 2023: Ruturaj Gaikwad form in focus as CSK star aiming to translate IPL success at international level
Apart from Bumrah and Prasidh Krishna’s comeback, all eyes will also be on Gaikwad, who has failed to crack the code at the international level. The CSK star has so far played nine T20Is and has just scored 135 runs in nine T20Is. His strike rate has also been dismal, getting runs at 123.
Ireland series presents Gaikwad to finally show his huge IPL success at the international level. The conditions at Dublin will also be perfect for Gaikwad to drop anchor and play long as he does with CSK. All three T20Is will be played in Dublin.
