The BCCI on Wednesday (June 15) announced the Indian 17-member squad for the upcoming tour of Ireland, where the Men in Blue will play two T20Is on June 26 and 28 in Malahide, Dublin.
Hardik Pandya has been named captain for the Ireland tour, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar will be his deputy.
There is only one new face in the 17-member squad, as Rahul Tripathi was handed a maiden call-up to the Indian team for the Ireland tour.
Sharing his emotions on finally getting selected for the Indian team, Tripathi said that this is a proud moment for him and he is hoping to get the opportunity on the Ireland tour.
Rahul Tripathi told PTI: “I’m very happy and most importantly, it is a dream come true for me. Every cricketer, when he starts playing the game, aims to represent his country. Obviously, this is the biggest achievement of my life, to represent my country. Surely, more good things to come and hopefully, there will be days when I am able to win games for my country. This is a proud moment for me.”
On being asked whether he was disappointed in being ignored for ignoring the South Africa series, the 31-year-old said: “To be honest, I thought that I will get this opportunity but now I am happy that I have been given the opportunity now. I knew if I keep performing, I'll get the opportunity. I was not very disheartened. I knew if I keep performing, I'll get the opportunity.”
Tripathi signed off by saying, “I have always looked at the match that I am playing and the team I am representing, how I can make the team and how I can perform the best. I need to win the match for my country. It is a great opportunity for me. I want to enjoy this moment.”
Notably, he scored 413 runs at an average of 37.55 with a strike rate of 158.24 for Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the 14 matches in the IPL 2022.
Here’s the Team India squad for the Ireland tour:
Hardik Pandya (C), Bhuvneshwar Kumar (VC), Ishan Kishan, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Sanju Samson, Suryakumar Yadav, Venkatesh Iyer, Deepak Hooda, Rahul Tripathi, Dinesh Karthik (wicket-keeper), Yuzvendra Chahal, Akshar Patel, Ravi Bishnoi, Harshal Patel, Avesh Khan, Arshdeep Singh, Umran Malik.
