The Indian Premier League is nearing its end as this week will decide the top 4 teams who will face off in the qualifiers from next week. Later next month, the Indian squad prepares themselves to go on a difficult and important battle against a team that has high hopes for the forthcoming T20 world cup.
The Indian team will be facing South Africa for a T20 series of 5 matches starting from 9th June till 19th June. This is going to be a home series for the Indian team and a challenge as there are eyes swirling of the selectors on the very new upcoming uncapped players. Later at the end of June, India will go head to head against Ireland in an away series for a two-match series, respectively on 26th June and 28th June. The new faces this year have shown a great performance in the ongoing IPL 2022. There hasn’t been anyone confirmation on the squad yet but there might be a possibility of newcomers to the squad.
Reports have claimed that VVS Laxman seems interested in taking up the charge as the Head Coach of the Indian Team for the coming series against South Africa and Ireland. A source said that VVS Laxman is likely to be the Indian head coach as Dravid leaves for England Test Series in mid-June.
“VVS Laxman is likely to be the Indian coach for the South Africa and Ireland T20 series as Rahul Dravid set to leave to England on June mid for the Test match. (Source – InsideSport)”
VVS Laxman is likely to be the Indian coach for the South Africa and Ireland T20 series as Rahul Dravid set to leave to England on June mid for the Test match. (Source – InsideSport)
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) May 18, 2022
Recently, South Africa announced their 16 man squad as they bring back the pace-bowling all-rounder Wayne Parnell after 5 years and Tristan Stubbs. The Pro-Teas are looking forward to getting a good hold of the series before they get ready for the T20 World Cup 2022 in October.
The selection committee, led by Chetan Sharma, will meet soon to finalise squads for the England tour and the home T20I series against South Africa. For this series, the selection committee may rest senior players such as Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and others. They are targeting Hardik Pandya as the series captain following his impressive leadership performance for Gujarat Titans in the ongoing IPL 2022.
Other players such as Dinesh Karthik, Avesh Khan, Mohsin Khan, Umran Malik, Krunal Pandya, and others may be called up to the India squad for this series, as India looks to play primarily second-string cricketers.