'There will be a couple of caps given' - Hardik Pandya hints few debuts ahead of Ireland T20Is

India are set to play a two-match T20I series against Ireland, the first of which commences on Sunday, 26th June, at The Village. The much-changed Indian team will be led by Hardik Pandya, who suggested that a couple of new faces might be given national caps in the upcoming T20I series in Ireland.

Pandya will be leading the T20I side in the absence of regulars like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant, and Jasprit Bumrah, who will be in action in the rescheduled Test against England at Edgbaston next month. The all-rounder will be eyeing a successful outing against the Irish men and might look to give chances to some young faces who couldn’t make the team in the recently concluded series against South Africa.

Notably, Umran Malik and Rahul Tripathi are the favourites to make their debut in the Ireland series. The all-rounder stated that they would pick the best XI for the matches and might give a couple of caps in accordance with the needs of the teams.

“We want to give an opportunity to people but want to play our best XI as well. There will be situations where there will be a couple of caps given but more than anything, it’s about making sure that we have the best XI,” Pandya said in a press conference ahead of the series opener on Sunday.

I don’t play this sport to show anything to anybody: Hardik Pandya

The former Mumbai Indians player led his new franchise Gujarat Titans to their maiden IPL trophy in their debut season in IPL 2022. The explosive batters’ leadership qualities have evoked questions about a leadership role with the national team in the future. When asked about proving his mettle in the upcoming series, the 28-year-old downplayed all those talks stating that he hasn’t got anything to show anybody.

“I am not here to show anything to anybody. I have got an opportunity to lead India, which itself is a big thing for me. I don’t play this sport to show anything to anybody. I am good enough. I will see in the future, otherwise more than anything I am just focussing on what I can bring in this series,” Pandya said.