The Ireland team management have announced a 15-player squad that will be playing against India in a three-match series between 18 and 23 August 2023 at Malahide. The selectors have recalled all-rounder Fionn Hand and have also added Gareth Delany who is making a comeback from injury after breaking his wrist in Zimbabwe in June.
This series against India will mark Ireland's first T20 action for the national side since sealing the T20 World Cup qualification. The team shows the same playing group mostly that successfully qualified for the 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup last week.
Just after the team announcement, Andrew White, Ireland Men’s national selector said, “The recent qualifying campaign in Scotland was the first stage of our strategic planning for next June’s T20 World Cup. We currently have around 15 T20 Internationals scheduled between now and the World Cup, so it is important that we use each of these to continue to build on areas that the coaching team have identified.
“We only have a limited time between now and the end of the 2023 domestic season, so it’s also crucial that we use what opportunities we have to provide exposure and experience to a pool of players who we believe are in contention for making that World Cup squad.
Earlier, BCCI also announced the Indian squad that will be locking horns against Ireland in August. Senior pacer Jasprit Bumrah will be leading the side against Ireland in the three-match T20I series. Ever since Bumrah got injured, he missed out on playing many crucial tournaments and now since he is fit, all eyes will be on him since the ODI World Cup is set to be played in India from October 5.
SCHEDULE
18 August: Ireland vs India – 1st T20I (Malahide; start time 3pm)
20 August: Ireland vs India – 2nd T20I (Malahide; start time 3pm)
23 August: Ireland vs India – 3rd T20I (Malahide; start time 3pm)
Ireland Squad: Paul Stirling (capt), Andrew Balbirnie, Mark Adair, Ross Adair, Curtis Campher, Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, Fionn Hand, Josh Little, Barry McCarthy, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Theo van Woerkom, Ben White, Craig Young.