Pandya to lead India in Ireland T20Is, Bhuvneshwar named as deputy

NEW DELHI: India have announced a 17-member squad with all-rounder Hardik Pandya to lead the squad for the first time as the Men in Blue are scheduled to tour Ireland for the T20I series later this month.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has relied on young players for the upcoming task against Ireland as Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma have not been included in the squad.

Pandya, who led the Gujrat Titans to the IPL title this year with his captaincy, will captain the Indian side for the two-match T20I series against Ireland with fast bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar named as vice-captain.

Right-handed batsman Rahul Tripathi, meanwhile, became the newest entrant to the Indian team, following his phenomenal IPL run this season.

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

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