Bumrah Returns as Captain; Rinku Singh Included in Squad for 3-Match T20I Series vs Ireland

Jasprit Bumrah to lead second-string India against Ireland in a 3-match T20I series from August 18 to 23. Hardik Pandya rested, Ruturaj Gaikwad named vice-captain.

_{^{Indian cricketer Jasprit Bumrah is set to return to action for the first time since September 2022. (Photo: Reuters)}}

Jasprit Bumrah is set to make his comeback to international cricket in Ireland in August, leading a second-string Indian side in a 3-match T20I series. After being sidelined due to a back injury since September 2022, Bumrah has been appointed captain by the senior men’s team selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar. The series begins on August 18 in Dublin.

Hardik Pandya, the regular T20I captain, has been rested for the series, allowing other players to get opportunities at the highest level before representing India in the Asian Games in China in September-October. The selection committee has included several players from the Asian Games squad to ensure they gain valuable experience.

Bumrah’s last appearance was in a T20I series against Australia in September 2022, after which he had to undergo back surgery in New Zealand in March 2023. The successful surgery was followed by an extensive rehabilitation process at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru.

His return comes as good news for the Indian ODI team, as he is likely to be available for the upcoming ODI World Cup and is expected to be part of the Asia Cup squad for the continental tournament starting on August 30.

The India squad for the T20Is in Ireland includes Ruturaj Gaikwad as the vice-captain and players like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh, Sanju Samson, Jitesh Sharma, Shivam Dube, Washington Sundar, Shahbaz Ahmed, Ravi Bishnoi, Prasidh Krishna, Arshdeep Singh, Mukesh Kumar, and Avesh Khan.

Prasidh Krishna, who was sidelined due to a stress fracture since August 2022, returns to the team along with Mukesh Kumar, Arshdeep Singh, and Avesh Khan for the T20I series in Ireland.

Ruturaj Gaikwad, who will lead the Indian men’s cricket team in the Asian Games 2023, has been appointed as the vice-captain. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Tilak Varma, also part of the squad for the 5-match T20I series against the West Indies in August, have been named in the squad.

Sanju Samson has been selected as the first-choice wicketkeeper, while Jitesh Sharma will be the second wicketkeeper. Washington Sundar and left-arm spinner Shahbaz Ahmed have also been included in the squad.

Shivam Dube, who last played a T20I for India in February 2022, returns to the squad after impressing with his performances in the Deodhar Trophy and IPL 2023 for Chennai Super Kings.

The 3-match T20I series against Ireland will take place on August 18, August 20, and August 23 at The Village in Dublin.

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Toshika Chauhan