Hardik to lead India in Ireland T20Is; Suryakumar returns, Samson, Tripathi picked

TIL Desk Sports/ Allrounder Hardik Pandya was on Wednesday appointed captain of the Indian cricket team for the T20I series against Ireland, set to be played later this month. The 17-member squad named by the All-India Senior Selection Committee doesn’t feature India’s Test team regulars who will directly fly to England to prepare for the rescheduled fifth Test at Edgbaston, scheduled to be played from July 1.

The 28-year-old Pandya, who led Gujarat Titans to the IPL 2022 title in debut season, was elevated to vice-captaincy and has served as Rishabh Pant’s deputy in the ongoing series against South Africa after original captain KL Rahul was ruled out with a groin injury. Experienced fast bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar will serve as Pandya’s deputy for the series.

Among those players playing the South Africa T20Is but will miss the assignment in Ireland include Pant and Shreyas Iyer, who will link up with the Test squad. Sanju Samson and Rahul Tripathi (maiden call up), who had impactful seasons with the bat in IPL 2022, have been as replacements of Pant and Iyer.