Indian cricket team coach for the ongoing IND vs IRE three-match T20I series, Sitanshu Kotak, has hinted that the team management might decide to not make many changes for India vs Ireland 3rd and final T20I on Wednesday as players have effectively been part of one game since the IND vs IRE 1st T20I was affected by rain. Jasprit Bumrah-captained young Indian squad defeated hosts Ireland by two runs in a rain-curtailed match via Duckworth-Lewis (DLS) method. Ireland had set a 140 run target for India in the series opener but the chase was interrupted by rain when the Men in Blue were 47/2 in 6.5 overs. The match did not resume. India then won 2nd T20I vs Ireland by 33 runs to take an unassailable 2-0 lead, reducing IND vs IRE 3rd T20I match to a dead rubber.
“We will discuss the team in the evening, but if there is a possibility of giving them an opportunity, we will give," Kotak reportedly told media on the eve of IND vs IRE 3rd T20I.
Coach Sitanshu Kotak said pacers Jasprit Bumrah and Prasidh Krishna, who are making India comeback from back surgeries, need more game time. Both Bumrah and Krishna have bowled remarkably well, picking two wickets each in the two games, so far.
“Not really (any) pressure, I would say. They were at the NCA for their RTPs (return to play) and strength and all. They never looked like they did not get a game, or were out of practice, looked ready in practice,” Sitanshu Kotak told the media here.
“It is just that these guys need more game time before the World Cup. They will get three games in this series and (also) a few matches in the Asia Cup,” he added.
Avesh Khan, Jitesh Sharma, Mukesh Kumar and Shahbaz Ahmed are the only players from Indian squad who are yet to play a match on the tour.
After the Ireland tour, team India will return to action on September 2 in Asia Cup 2023 when take on Pakistan in Sri Lanka's Pallekele.