In an exciting announcement, Jasprit Bumrah has been appointed as the captain of the Indian cricket team for the three-match T20I series against Ireland, which is set to kick off on August 18.
A Remarkable Comeback
Bumrah’s return to the cricket field is eagerly anticipated, as he has been absent from action since the T20Is against Australia last September. After undergoing back surgery in March this year, he took the long path of rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy (NCA). Although he attempted a comeback in January for the ODI series against Sri Lanka, he was withdrawn just before the opener in Guwahati. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) cited the need for him to build bowling resilience, and the decision was deemed a precautionary measure.
Expectations on the Rise
Earlier reports from Cricketnext indicated that Bumrah’s inclusion in the squad was likely, adding to the excitement surrounding his return.
Missed Opportunities
Unfortunately, Bumrah missed the 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia and the Asia Cup held in the UAE last year. Additionally, he did not participate in the entire 2023 Indian Premier League season. Nevertheless, this won’t be his first time as captain, as he previously led the side in a one-off Test match during last summer’s tour of England.
Strong Squad with Vice-Captain Appointed
Ruturaj Gaikwad has been appointed vice-captain, and alongside Bumrah, they will lead the talented squad. Other players included in the team are 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.
Asian Games Representation
It’s worth noting that the majority of the selected squad for this series will also be representing India at the upcoming Asian Games in Hangzhou.
Upcoming Matches
The three T20I matches between India and Ireland are scheduled to take place in Malahide on August 18, 20, and 23. In a previous two-match T20I series in June 2022, India emerged victorious, winning the series 2-0, although Ireland put up a strong fight.
Rest for Some Key Players
The likes of Hardik Pandya, Shubman Gill, Ishan Kishan, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, and Suryakumar Yadav will be rested, as they prepare for the 50-over Asia Cup starting from August 30.
Cricket fans are eagerly looking forward to witnessing Bumrah’s leadership on the field, and the series against Ireland promises to be a thrilling encounter.
