In the goodwill series, the BCCI Selection Committee selected a team that can best be described as “Khichdi”. This is a mixture of the Asian Games-2023 team. The selectors have sent three players who are likely to take part in the Asian Cup 2023 and World Cup 2023.
Ruthuraj Gaikwad takes on the role of vice-captain in IND vs IRE (India vs. Ireland) T20. Senior player Jasprit Bumra will take over the team after returning from a long injury hiatus. Then there is Prasidh Krishna and Sanju Samson who are contenders for the Asian Cup and the World Cup.
While KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer are missing as they are not 100% ready yet, this is a team that resembles the Asian Games 2023 brigade. As many as 11 players from the team heading to Hangzhou.
Ruthuraj Gaikwad, who will head the Asian Games 2023, has been appointed vice-captain. The reason may be that Bumra is taking a break from one of the games. Jasprit Bumra recovering from injury after 13 months. Consequently, the breeders want to play it safe and gradually build up his load, instead of throwing him the ball for 7-8 overs.
IND vs IRE Playing Combination
With the exception of the trio, the roster is based on IPL 2023 performances. Ruturaj Gaikwad and Yashasvi Jaiswal, two of the best young rookies, will open the tournament with Tilak Verma at number 3.
While Hardik Pandya rested, Shivam Dube will most likely be in 5th place. Sangju Samson will beat in 4th place in IND vs IRE. KKR rider Rinku Singh is named finisher at number 6. Washington Sundar will finish at number 7.
Given that the breeders want to try their hand with Prasid Krishna and Jaspreet Bumra, both pacers will be in XI. The second spinner will be replaced by either Ravi Bishnoy or Shahbaz Ahmed. Arshdeep Singh, Mukesh Kumar and Avesh Khan will compete for the role of the third sailor in IND vs IRE.
Since the team hasn’t played together at all, three matches in Ireland will give them a good idea of the combinations in China.
Even though Rahul Tripathi, Avesh Khan, Shivam Mavi and Prabhsimran Singh will join the team in China, the 11th player in Ireland will more or less play XI at the 2023 Asian Games.
Ruturaj will Lead the Team in Asian Games
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)
