IRE vs IND 2023: VVS Laxman not to accompany team India for T20I series

Team India are all set to face off against Ireland in their upcoming three-match T20I series that is scheduled to begin on Friday, August 18. The Indian team will depart for Dublin on August 15, and recent developments suggest that the head of the coaching staff, VVS Laxman, will not be accompanying the side for the series. 

As head coach Rahul Dravid and the majority of the coaching staff are in the USA for the ongoing T20I series between the West Indies and India, VVS Laxman was anticipated to accompany team India as they travel to Ireland for the three-match series. 

However, a recent change in plans suggests that the same will not be the case. Instead of Laxman, members of the support staff, Sitanshu Kotak and Sairaj Bahutule will be accompanying the side in the series.

Jasprit Bumrah to lead India against Ireland

The BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) recently announced the Indian squad that will be travelling to Ireland for the T20I series. It was announced that star pacer Jasprit Bumrah would be leading the side in Dublin.

Bumrah has been out of contention for selection for quite some time now. The 29-year-old sustained a stress fracture in his lower back in 2022, and missed a majority of tournaments like the Asia Cup 2022, the T20 World Cup 2022, the Border Gavaskar Trophy, the 16th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), and the World Test Championship as well. 

His return to cricket would be brilliant news for team India as the 50-over Asia Cup and ODI World Cup 2023 are looming right around the corner. Bumrah would significantly boost India’s arsenal of brilliant pacers.

Spearheading the pace attack, Bumrah’s inclusion in the World Cup squad could go a long way for team India, and with the Rohit Sharma-led side kicking off their World Cup campaign against Australia in Chennai, it could be interesting to see how Bumrah’s inclusion helps them in the marquee event.