Hardik Pandya likely to lead team India in Ireland for two-match T20I series: Report

As per the latest developments, star all-rounder Hardik Pandya is set to be named the captain of Team India for the upcoming series against Ireland. The current stand-in skipper, Rishabh Pant, who is currently leading the T20 side at home against South Africa, will join the Indian Test squad in England after the completion of the series. 

The Men in Blue are set to tour Ireland next week for a two-match T20I series, starting on 26th June. The series will occur simultaneously with India's preparations for the one-off Test against England, which was postponed last year due to the Covid-19 cases in the Indian camp. 

"While there is Dinesh Karthik, who is the senior-most player in the squad along with Bhuvneshwar Kumar, it was Hardik, who was Pant's designated deputy and hence favorite to lead," a BCCI official privy told PTI on the condition of anonymity. 

The India star all-rounder Hardik Pandya impressed one and all with his man-management skills in the latest edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). In what was his first-ever season as captain, the 28-year-old left a huge impact by leading the debutants Gujarat Titans to their maiden IPL title in their debut season, beating Rajasthan Royals in the summit clash. 

Notably, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will announce the second-string squad to face Ireland in two T20Is. The majority of the players who are playing against South Africa are expected to retain their spots except for Rishabh Pant and Shreyas Iyer. They are flying to the UK for the fifth and Final Test of the incomplete five-match series against England.  

India skipper Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Cheteshwar Pujara, Jasprit Bumrah, and Mohammed Shami are other players traveling to England on Thursday for the preparations for the Edgbaston Test. 

Rahul Dravid, the head coach of team India meanwhile, is expected to fly to UK and join the touring squad after the completion of the ongoing five-match T20I series against South Africa on June 19 in Bengaluru.