IRE vs IND | Rahul Tripathi backed by Ravi Shastri ahead of ODI Series

Maharashtra cricketer Rahul Tripathi has delivered a string of solid performances for his state and IPL franchise. In the recently-concluded 2022 season of the IPL, the right-hander charted 413 runs for the Sunrisers Hyderabad amidst their struggling campaign. He ended the competition as its second highest run-getter of the season among all uncapped batsmen.  

A month later, the cricketer was finally inducted into the Indian squad. He is currently in Ireland with a second-choice 'Men in Blue' side led by Hardik Pandya, while most seniors remain in England for the upcoming Test challenge.

Tripathi has received vocal backing from former Indian all-rounder and coach Ravi Shastri, who believes the 31-year-old does not get "overawed by any bowler". While speaking with ESPNcricinfo, Shastri said:

"When he is there at the crease, the scoreboard is ticking. He doesn't go behind the edged ball. Shot-making ability, and the all-around game that he has, he's not overawed by any opposition or by any bowler. He's scoring at a great rate. You know which is tremendous at no.3 because he sets it up beautifully".

Indian squad and schedule for Ireland T20Is

The visiting Indian team will face Ireland in a two-match T20I series. Both fixtures will be played at the Malahide Cricket Club Ground between June 26 and 28.

Here is a look at the expanded Indian squadron for the upcoming series:

Hardik Pandya (c), Bhuvneshwar Kumar (vc), Ishan Kishan, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Sanju Samson, Suryakumar Yadav, Venkatesh Iyer, Deepak Hooda, Rahul Tripathi, Dinesh Karthik (wk), Yuzvendra Chahal, Axar Patel, R Bishnoi, Harshal Patel, Avesh Khan, Arshdeep Singh, Umran Malik.