Hardik Pandya-led squad may play England T20I series as well: Reports

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) might ask the squad visiting Ireland for the two-match T20I series to feature in the three-match T20I series against England as well, which is scheduled to start from July 7 in Southampton. 

As per reports from Times Of India, the gap between the conclusion of the one-off Test and the first T20I against England isn't substantial for the Test-bound players in the team to feature. Hence, BCCI is likely to ask the India team playing Ireland to fly to the UK soon after the conclusion of the two-match series to participate in the T20I series against England. 

"The rescheduled fifth Test between India and England is supposed to be held in Birmingham from July 1-5, while the first T20I of the England series will take place only two days later, on July 7 at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton."

"It will be difficult for the players involved in the Test to switch to the T20Is at such short notice. In such a scenario, the squad picked for the two T20Is in Ireland has been asked to go to England after that short series since that outfit will be in T20 mode," a source was quoted as saying to TOI.

Hardik Pandya and Co will also take part in two warmup games against the local county teams before playing in the T20Is, while the Test-bound players will be playing the one-off Test in Edgbaston. 

"This side will, in fact, play two T20 warmup matches against local sides while the 'main' Indian team will be playing the Test match against the hosts at the same time," the source also added.  

The same squad playing against Ireland and England would also mean that Hardik Pandya, who is going to make his India captaincy debut on June 26, will have a big opportunity to showcase his man-management skills at the highest level.  

All the members of the Ireland-bound squad will assemble in Mumbai on June 23 along with NCA head VVS Laxman and other staff members before jetting off to Ireland. 

India's Squad For Ireland Series:

Hardik Pandya (Captain), Bhuvneshwar Kumar (vice-captain), Ishan Kishan, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Sanju Samson, Suryakumar Yadav, Venkatesh Iyer, Deepak Hooda, Rahul Tripathi, Dinesh Karthik (wicket-keeper), Yuzvendra Chahal, Axar Patel, Ravi Bishnoi, Harshal Patel, Avesh Khan, Arshdeep Singh, Umran Malik