VVS Laxman not to accompany Team India for Ireland T20Is; Bumrah and Co. to depart from Mumbai on this date

VVS Laxman, the head of the National Cricket Academy (NCA), will not be joining the Indian squad for the upcoming three-match T20I series against Ireland, contrary to initial expectations.

Instead, Jasprit Bumrah will lead Team India in the white-ball series, marking his return from injury and subsequent surgery. The series is set to commence on August 18. While head coach Rahul Dravid and the rest of the support staff are currently in the United States for the final two T20Is against the West Indies and the crucial 2023 Asia Cup, it was initially anticipated that Laxman would take charge in Ireland.

Laxman has previously led the team, notably during the tour of New Zealand after the 2022 T20 World Cup. Although he will not be present for the Ireland series, there is a strong possibility of him traveling with the Indian squad for the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou in October.

According to a report by Cricbuzz, the support staff for the Ireland tour will consist of Sitanshu Kotak and Sairaj Bahutule. Both coaches are associated with the NCA, with Kotak primarily focusing on the batters and Bahutule handling the spinners, among other responsibilities.

Bahutule recently worked with the Indian squad during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, providing assistance to the spinners.

The 15-man squad for the T20I series will soon be reporting to Dublin, Ireland. Following the conclusion of the series against the West Indies, which includes players such as Sanju Samson, Tilak Varma, Mukesh Kumar, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ravi Bishnoi, and Arshdeep Singh, they will be departing from Miami after the fifth T20I.

On August 15, the members from the subcontinent, including skipper Jasprit Bumrah, will join the rest of the players in Mumbai. Bumrah, a talented right-arm pacer, will be participating in his first competitive fixture since September 2022, as he aims to showcase his full potential in the upcoming 2023 ODI World Cup. Additionally, Prasidh Krishna, another skilled pacer, will be making a comeback after a lengthy injury layoff.

The T20I series will take place at The Village in Dublin on August 18, 20, and 23, respectively. It is worth noting that the Men in Blue emerged as 2-0 winners during their previous tour last year, which served as a crucial preparation for the 2022 T20 World Cup.

READ| Asian Champions Trophy 2023 semifinal: India beat Japan 5-0, to play Malaysia in final