Xtra Time Web Desk: Star pacer Jasprit Bumrah is back in the Indian team after a prolonged absence due to a back injury. Bumrah is set to make his much-anticipated return to international cricket. Ajit Agarkar-led senior men’s team selection committee has named him captain for the three-match series in Ireland, starting on August 18 in Dublin. This marks a significant moment for Bumrah, who missed the T20 World Cup last year due to his persistent back issues and underwent successful surgery in New Zealand in March 2023. Afterward, he underwent extensive rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru.
BCCI secretary Jay Shah confirmed in July that Bumrah was ready to return to action, which bodes well for the ODI team. He is expected to be available for the ODI World Cup and the Asia Cup squad for the continental tournament in August.
Several other players are also making comebacks. Prasidh Krishna, who suffered a stress fracture, is back in contention and considered a key option for the ODI World Cup. Mukesh Kumar, Arshdeep Singh, and Avesh Khan have been picked for the T20I series in Ireland.
Ruturaj Gaikwad will lead the India men’s cricket team in the Asian Games 2023 and has been named vice-captain for the Ireland series. Young talents like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Tilak Varma are also part of the squad.
Sanju Samson is selected as the first-choice wicketkeeper, while Jitesh Sharma returns as the second wicketkeeper. All-rounder Washington Sundar and left-arm spinner Shahbaz Ahmed are included in the squad, along with Shivam Dube, who has been in fine form for West Zone in the Deodhar Trophy campaign.
The selection committee has opted to give opportunities to players from the Asian Games squad, aiming to provide them with exposure at the highest level before the continental multi-sport event in China in September-October.