IND vs IRE T20I series: After the conclusion of ongoing India vs West Indies five-match T20 International series, a second-string Indian team is slated to tour Ireland for a three-match T20 International series. India (IND) vs Ireland (IRE) T20I series will begin from August 18 onwards. The second and third match of the three-match series will be played on August 20 and 23, respectively, at The Village in Dublin. In what comes as a big boost for the Men in Blue ahead of ODI World Cup 2023, ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah, who hasn't played a single match for the national team since September last year, will lead team India against Ireland in the T20Is, finally making his much-awaited comeback to international cricket.
No Head Coach for Jasprit Bumrah-led team India in INDIA vs IRELAND T20 International series?
In a shocking development, it is being reported that the Indian team will be touring the European nation without the services of a head coach. Head coach Rahul Dravid, who is currently with Rohit Sharma & Co. in West Indies, won't be travelling to Ireland. In Dravid's absence, as it has occurred is past, National Cricket Academy (NCA) chief VVS Laxman was in line to travel to Ireland with the Men in Blue but now, as per reported by Cricbuzz on August 11 (Friday), Laxman won't be accompanying the Indian contingent leaving for Dublin for the T20I series.
In the absence of both Laxman and Dravid, the responsibilities of veterans like Sitanshu Kotak and Sairaj Bahutule, who are part of the coaching staff, will increase.
It this happens, India men's cricket team will be playing an international series without the services of a head coach for the first time in eight years. The last time team India played a series without a head coach was in 2015, with Ravi Shastri being the team director until the appointment of Anil Kumble as new head coach in 2017. Even before this, the Indian team played a series without a head coach after Greg Chappell's exit in 2007.
More to follow...