Hardik Pandya has been selected captain of a 17-man side that will face Ireland in two Twenty20 Internationals later this month. The lack of India's Test team regulars who will instantly go to England to prepare for the postponed fifth Test at Edgbaston is noticeable in the roster, which includes a first call-up for Rahul Tripathi and a return for Sanju Samson.
After initial skipper KL Rahul was ruled out with a groin ailment, Pandya was upgraded to vice-captaincy and has been Rishabh Pant's deputy in the present series against South Africa. The 28-year-old just led Gujarat Titans to an IPL title in their first season. Bhuvneshwar Kumar, an experienced swing bowler, will be Pandya's understudy in the leadership group.
Pant and Shreyas Iyer, who will sync up with the Test team, are among those who will play in the South Africa T20Is but will miss the assignment in Ireland. Samson and Tripathi, who had strong seasons with the bat in IPL 2022, will take their place. Samson scored 374 runs at 147.24 SR and captained Rajasthan Royals to the tournament finals, while Tripathi scored 413 runs at 158.23 SR for the Sunrisers Hyderabad in an otherwise dismal season.
Suryakumar Yadav, who missed the second half of the IPL and the series against South Africa due to a forearm muscle injury, is also back in the T20I lineup.
On June 26 and 28, India will play the two T20Is in Malahide. VVS Laxman will be the head coach of the team on tour, with Shitanshu Kotak (batting coach), Sairaj Bahutule (bowling coach), and Munish Bali assisting him (fielding coach).