crew India Captain Hardik Pandya has indicated that the visitors may give debut caps to some players in the T20I series against Ireland. Hardik will lead the Indian team for the first time in the absence of regular skipper Rohit Sharma, who is currently with the red-ball side for the postponed fifth Test against England.
India will miss the services of several senior players including Rohit, Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, Ravindra Jadeja, Shreyas Iyer and Rishabh Pant in the two-match series against Ireland. In his absence, several youngsters including Rahul Tripathi, Umran Malik and Arshdeep Singh have been picked for the series as stand-in captain Pandya said that some caps will be given in the series.
“We want to give opportunities to people but also want to play our best XI. There will be a situation where some caps will be given, but more than anything, it is about making sure we have the best XI,” Pandya said in the press conference ahead of the first T20I.
Meanwhile, Pandya impressed many with his captaincy abilities in IPL 2022, where he led Gujarat Titans to a title win in their first season.
Pandya, who was Rishabh Pant’s deputy in the recently concluded T20I series against South Africa, was promoted to the leadership role as the wicket-keeper batsman joined the Test squad for the England match.
The young Indian team in Ireland will also miss the guidance of Rahul Dravid, who has joined the Test squad. While their NCA chief VVS Laxman is traveling with Hardik & Co to guide him for the tour of Ireland.
Talking about leading India for the first time, Pandya said that he doesn’t want to show anything to anyone and is focused on helping the team win.
“I am not here to show anything to anyone. I have got the opportunity to lead India, that in itself is a big deal for me. I don’t play this game to show anything to anyone. I’m good enough I will look into the future, otherwise more than anything I am just focusing on what I can bring to the series,” Pandya said.
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