The three ODIs will start on August 18 at Malahide, Dublin, with the following matches on August 20 and 23 at the same ground. India will then be next in action at the Asia Cup, to be jointly hosted by Pakistan and Sri Lanka from August 30 to September 17. These will be their last assignments before India host the marquee ODI World Cup from October 5
Bumrah, who had undergone surgery for a lower back stress fracture earlier this year, was going through a rehabilitation process at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru. The pace spearhead's last appearance for India was last September during a home T20I series against Australia. There were deliberations about Bumrah's readiness to handle the twin responsibility of leader of pace attack and the team.
The Ireland series is viewed as an opportunity for both Bumrah and Prasidh to tune their body to the rigours of international cricket after a lengthy gap. Hence, the duo could be expected to be part of India's squad for the upcoming Asia Cup to be played in Colombo across August and September.
The 29-year-old Bumrah was eager to don the dual role during the Ireland trip. Bumrah has the experience of leading the side as he had led India against England in the Birmingham Test last year.
The tour to Ireland will also be a good chance for several players in this squad as they are also a part of the Indian team for the Asian Games. It will also open up another opportunity for Sanju Samson to underline his claim for a more frequent India berth in the white ball formats. Since many of these cricketers, except Gaikwad and Yashasvi Jaiswal, are now being viewed as T20I specialists, the tour to Ireland holds significance for them in their future plans.
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