India squad for Ireland series to be announced this week, Jasprit Bumrah set for comeback

Team India is scheduled to be played against Ireland in a three-match T20I series in August. The three T20 Internationals are set to be played on August 18, 20 and 23 and the Indian team is likely to rest the likes of Hardik Pandya and Shubman Gill. It remains to be seen who will lead India on the tour even as there is a possiblity of ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah making a comeback after a long injury layoff.

Moreover, according to a report in ESPNCricinfo, the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee is expected to announce the squad for the Ireland tour this week. Agarkar is currently in the West Indies having flown to the Caribbean during the second Test match of the two-match series that India won 1-0. Meanwhile, it has also been reported that Bumrah is set to be picked for the Ireland series. If picked, he will be playing his first competitive match since September last



year.

BCCI had provided a huge update on his recovery earlier this week stating that Bumrah had started bowling at full intensity in the National Cricket Academy. He is bowling at full capacity at NCA and is expected to participate in the warm-up games alongside another pacer Prasidh Krishna.

Both pacers are likely to make an international comeback to get match fitness before the ICC ODI World Cup in India. After three T20Is against Ireland, India will participate in ODI Asia Cup 2023. India's next task will be three-match ODI series against Australia at home and the management will be hopeful to have a full-strength squad available.

Apart from Bumrah, Indian management will also be keeping a close eye on Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul's recovery status. Both the batters are strong contenders to feature in India's squad for the home World Cup but clearly need to regain fitness.