India might send second-string squad to face Ireland in two T20Is due to clash with Test match against England

Team India players will be occupied in the coming months with the schedule being jam-packed ahead of the T20 World Cup, which will take place in Australia. Following the conclusion of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022, the Men in Blue will host South Africa in five T20Is, and then there are overseas assignments. India will tour England, Ireland, West Indies, Zimbabwe, and UAE (for Asia Cup).

As per the developments, India are all but likely to field two sides simultaneously. While the first-choice team will meet England in the rescheduled fifth Test, a second-string side will visit Ireland for two T20Is on June 26 and 28 respectively. Notably, the rescheduled fifth Test will get underway on July 1 in Edgbaston. The game was apparently scheduled to take place last year but was postponed due to COVID-19 crisis.

Top players set to miss Ireland series

Hence, top players like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja might give Ireland T20Is a miss and a second-string team will take the field. Hence, the selectors might even need to name an inexperienced captain. As England will also hosts India in three ODIs and as many T20Is, members of the Ireland series might join the white-ball squad in England.

With the schedule being so hectic, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is also concerned about the bio-bubble fatigue. Owing to the same, breaks will be given to Indian players when required. ““The discussions on bio-bubble breaks have already started. Every player has been communicated about the busy itinerary. They have been given time to think about when they would like to take a break,” a BCCI official was quoted as saying by the Times of India.

“It’s likely a depleted side will travel to Zimbabwe. Ideally, the Asia Cup will be the right tournament to play the first team, in order to get combinations right before the T20 World Cup,” added the official.