Bad news for Team India ahead of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's debut, star player set to be…
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi can make his debut for senior Indian team in the two-match T20I series vs Ireland beginning in Belfast on Friday.
Nitish Kumar Reddy is set to be ruled out of T20 series vs Ireland. (Photo: IANS)
India vs Ireland 2026 T20: Team India are set to begin a two-match T20I series against Ireland on Friday (June 26) but most of the interest in the series is centered around the potential international debut of 15-year-old prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. But even before the series can begin, the visitors have already been dealt a big blow with all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy ruled out of the series with a quadriceps injury and could potentially miss the subsequent five-match T20I series against England next month as well.
The Sunrisers Hyderabad all-rounder was set to fill in the void left by Hardik Pandya, who has also been ruled out with a quadriceps niggle and is not in condition to bowl 10 overs in ODI cricket.
"Nitish reported left quadriceps discomfort after the third ODI against Afghanistan on June 20. Following a subsequent medical assessment, the BCCI Medical Team has recommended a period of rehabilitation, ruling him out of both T20I series.," the BCCI statement read.
According to the cricketer's medical report, Reddy will take a minimum of four weeks the recovery timeline could extend too to complete his rehabilitation before he can start his 'Return To Play' protocols. The 23-year-old has played 10 Tests, 6 ODIs and 4 T20Is for India so far. During the Afghanistan series, he had turned out in two ODIs while missing the second game in Lucknow.
Bowling coach Morne Morkel had claimed that Reddy's injury was not a 'serious one', but the subsequent medical follow-up has created a big worry for Team India.
Reddy is believed to have benefitted from a stint with former Rajasthan Royals bowling coach Steffan Jones, to increase his pacer from 120 kph to mid-130s. But the strains of increasing his pace may have taken a toll on his body.
Who can be Nitish Kumar Reddy's replacement?
The BCCI confirmed that Punjab Kings and Mumbai all-rounder Suryansh Shedge will replace Reddy in the Ireland and England series. Shedge was part of the India A team which won the 50-over tri-series title in Sri Lanka last week and had look impressive with the bat and ball as well.
Shedge has scored 356 runs in 30 T20 matches in his career and also claimed 13 wickets at an average of 29.92 with his medium pace bowling.
"The Men's Selection Committee has named Suryansh Shedge as a replacement for Nitish Kumar Reddy in India's squads for the upcoming T20I series against Ireland and England," a BCCI statement read.
"Suryansh earned the call-up following a string of impressive performances for India A in the recently concluded tri-series in Sri Lanka. Batting in the middle order, the 23-year-old scored 147 runs in five matches and also chipped in with the ball, bowling 23 overs across the tournament.
"He was also one of the standout performers for Mumbai in their victorious Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy campaign in 2024-25, scoring 131 runs at a strike rate of 251.92 in the lower middle order," the statement added.
Ireland name new captain for T20I series
Meanwhile, hosts Ireland have named a new T20I captain Lorcan Tucker to replace experienced Paul Stirling to lead the side in the two-match series against India. "My approach to the captaincy is to lead from within and by example. I'd like to think I have good relationships with all the staff and players and can act with honesty and empathy," Tucker said on his appointment.
Ireland T20I squad vs India
Lorcan Tucker (c &wk), Ross Adair, Ben Calitz, Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, Stephen Doheny (wk), Matthew Humphreys, Gavin Hoey, Matthew Hollard, Liam McCarthy, Jai Moondra, Harry Tector, Tim Tector, Reuben Wilson
For breaking news and live news updates, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and Instagram. Read more on Latest India News on India.com.