In what is a goodwill series, BCCI Selection Committee has picked a squad that can best be described as ‘Khichdi’. It is a mixture of the Asian Games 2023 squad. Selectors have sent three players who are likely to be part of Asia Cup 2023 and World Cup 2023. Ruturaj Gaikwad gets vice-captain’s role in IND vs IRE (India vs Ireland) T20s. Senior pro Jasprit Bumrah will lead the side after returning from long injury layoff. Then, there are Prasidh Krishna and Sanju Samson who are Asia Cup & WC hopefuls.
While KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer miss out as they are not yet 100% fit, it is a squad that resembles Asian Games 2023 brigade. As many as 11 players are from the Hanghzhou-bound team.
Also Read: IND vs IRE squad announced, Bumrah to lead Asian Games 2023 stars, No Shreyas, KL
Ruturaj Gaikwad, who will lead in the Asian Games 2023, is the designated vice-captain. The reason could be Bumrah taking a rest from one of the games. Jasprit Bumrah is making a comeback from injury after 13 months. Hence, the selectors want to tread carefully and build up his workload gradually instead of throwing him the ball for 7-8 overs.
What will be playing combination in IND vs IRE?
Barring the trio, the squad is based on IPL 2023 performances. Ruturaj Gaikwad and Yashasvi Jaiswal — two best young openers — will open with Tilak Verma at No 3.
With Hardik Pandya rested, Shivam Dube is likely at No 5. Sanju Samson will bat at No 4 in IND vs IRE. KKR dasher Rinku Singh is the designated finisher at No 6. Washington Sundar will occupy the No 7 spot.
Considering that selectors want to test waters with Prasidh Krishna and Jasprit Bumrah, both pacers will be in the XI. Either Ravi Bishnoi or Shahbaz Ahmed will take the second spinner’s spot. Arshdeep Singh, Mukesh Kumar and Avesh Khan will fight for the third seamer’s role in IND vs IRE.
As the team has not played together at all, the three matches in Ireland will give them a fair idea of the combinations in China.
Even though Rahul Tripathi, Avesh Khan, Shivam Mavi and Prabhsimran Singh will join the squad in China, the 11 in Ireland will more or less be the Playing XI in Asian Games 2023.
India squad for Ireland Series: 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
India Asian Games Squad: Ruturaj Gaikwad (Captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rahul Tripathi, Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Washington Sundar, Shahbaz Ahmed, Ravi Bishnoi, Avesh Khan, Arshdeep Singh, Mukesh Kumar, Shivam Mavi, Shivam Dube, Prabhsimran Singh (wk)
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