"May Not Get a Chance to Play"- Ex-Indian opener feels that Samson and Rahul Tripathi are doubtful to play in Ireland T20Is
The Men in Blue are currently engaged in a five-match T20I series against South Africa at home. After the three matches, the equation is that the visitors are leading by 2-1. However, after the series ends, the Indian team will fly to the UK to play against Ireland and England.
The tour will start with two T20Is against Ireland on June 26 and June 28. The selection committee has already announced the 17-member squad for both T20Is. Notably, most of the regular players will travel to England for the one-off rescheduled Test match starting on July 1.
So a totally new set of players have been selected for the Ireland T20Is. Interestingly, two names that have impressed everyone in the IPL are also part of both T20Is. The BCCI has given a chance to Rahul Tripathi and Sanju Samaon, while Rishabh Pant and Shreyas Iyer will travel with the Test side.
On the other hand, KL Rahul has been ruled out due to injury, which left two places to be grabbed in the batting order. Hardik Pandya will lead the team, while Ruturaj Gaikwad and Ishan Kishan are likely to open the innings. Suryakumar Yadav is also back with the team, who will be playing at No. 3.
India Squad
— BCCI (@BCCI) June 15, 2022
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
So this will be a tough competition between three players for the No. 4 spot in the batting order. Former Indian Test opener, Aakash Chopra, believes that Hooda has a better chance to grab that No. 4 spot. In a video posted on his YouTube channel, Aakash said that in the absence of Pant, who will play at four.
The former opener said, "Will it be Sanju Samson or Deepak Hooda or Rahul Tripathi? Deepak Hooda deserves the fourth spot. I will be thinking they should play Hooda, even at no five. Pandya can bat at no 4."
He also said that he is doubtful that any of Samson or Tripathi will get a chance in the playing XI in both T20Is. Aakash concluded that in that case, India will play either Samson or Tripathi, so Hooda could also question why he has been picked in the squad if he is not getting any games.
The Indian squad vs Ireland: Hardik Pandya (C), Bhuvneshwar Kumar (VC), Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Sanju Samson, Deepak Hooda, Rahul Tripathi, Venkatesh Iyer, Dinesh Karthik (WK), Yuzvendra Chahal, Ravi Bishnoi, Axar Patel, Harshal Patel, Avesh Khan, Arshdeep Singh and Umran Malik