Star India pacer Jasprit Bumrah, who has been named as the captain of the side that is in Ireland ahead of the T20I series, will be at the centre of attention during the three-match series. The reasons are manifold. While this is the Indian pace spearhead's comeback series after sitting out due to an injury since September last year, eyes will be on his form and fitness with the Indian team set to participate in Asian Games and ODI World Cup later this year.
Prior to the IND vs IRE T20I Series opener at The Village, Dublin on August 18 (Friday), the official social media account of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) shared pictures of the players having reached Dublin. The highlight was once again captain Bumrah who was seen in an India kit, a rare sight in recent times given his struggles with injury and fitness.
The post has gone viral on social media.
After the first T20I of the Ireland series on August 18, it will be a short turnaround between games for Team India with the second and the third T20Is scheduled on August 20 and August 23 respectively. All three matches will be played at the same venue. India are coming on the back of a shock 2-3 series defeat at the hands of West Indies.
While India had sent a Hardik Pandya-led side to compete in the shortest format, it was expected that the Men in Blue would come out on top but the hosts found a way to get on top of India after having forced the ODI series to a decider before eventually losing that series. India would look to get back to winning ways and take some momentum heading into the Asia Cup which will be played in the ODI format this time around.