According to reports, National Cricket Academy (NCA) head VVS Laxman will not accompany the India squad for the three-match series against Ireland. Team India will be led by the Indian speedster Jasprit Bumrah as they will depart for Dublin on August 15.
Soon after the completion of the West Indies T20 series, they will travel to Ireland for three-match T20 series just before the important Asia Cup 2023 and ODI World Cup 2023. The T20 series will begin on August 18, while the other two matches will be played on August 20 and 23, respectively. All three T20 matches will be played in Malahide.
Indian head coach Rahul Dravid and support staff would have a week-long camp in Bengaluru to prepare for the Asia Cup 2023 in the latter part of August. It is reported that Rahul Dravid and other support staff would be relieved from the Ireland tour to organize the preparatory camp ahead of the Asia Cup.
It is reported that VVS Laxman would be travelling alongside the Indian team from Ireland but in the turn of events it is revealed that he would not be part of the Indian coaching staff for the T20 series in Ireland and other coaches Sitanshu Kotak and Sairaj Bahutule is likely to be part of the India squad for Ireland.
In 2022 Indian team engaged in two-match T20 series in Ireland, where India won the series 2-0. The Men in Blue will be eyeing a similarly dominating performance in the upcoming tour in Ireland. India team will be looking to provide opportunities to the fringe players in the Ireland tour.
The senior players are not part of the T20I squad as they will be given some much-needed rest ahead of this year’s World Cup. Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya, Mohammed Shami, and KL Rahul are not named in the India squad for the Ireland series.
Meanwhile, Indian veteran batter Ambati Rayudu, who has announced his retirement from the Indian Premier League is likely to play for the Joburg Super Kings for the second season of SA20 continuing his association with the Super Kings family, and he was slated to play for Texas Super Kings in MLC 2023 but later withdrew from the tournament due to the personal issues.
The 37-year-old will be part of St Kitts & Nevis Patriots for the upcoming Caribbean Premier League (CPL) season and will look to make an impact in the league as he would the second Indian to be part of the league next to Pravin Tambe.