Three Probable Captaincy Contenders for India's T20I Series Against Ireland

Indian Cricket Team will be out on tour to Ireland and England cometh the month of June. They will square off against Ireland in two T20Is, scheduled on June 27th, and 29th before heading off to England for the long tour.

Meanwhile, many senior cricketers are likely to miss the Ireland tour to prepare for the England series. Skipper Virat Kohli had already signed a deal with County team Surrey to play for them in June.

Moreover, as many as eight Indian cricketers are likely to visit England earlier. They will travel with the India A squad, who plays a tri-series including Windies A and England Lions. Touring India A side also plays an unofficial Test against the England Lions. India Test specialists are likely to take part in that match to accustom themselves to the overseas conditions.

However, this leaves a void in the captaincy position in the T20I team that tours Ireland. Without Kohli and Rohit Sharma, the team management will have a problem at hand as to find a suitable candidate for the role.

Indian cricket team have many cricketers, who in the past have had led teams and will happily shoulder the additional responsibility.

Here is the list of probable contenders:

Shikhar Dhawan:

Shikhar Dhawan has been in scintillating for India in the past one year be it any format. The southpaw had provided India with brilliant starts over the years and possessed a healthy experience under his sleeves.

The 36-match old veteran has been a regular feature in this format scoring 884 runs with the highest score of 90.

It will be a new experience for him if he gets the opportunity which will grow him as a cricketer.

KL Rahul:

The swashbuckling opener from Karnataka has been in brilliant touch in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL). Rahul has had led his franchise Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) from the front with monumental scores.

Although new to his international career, Rahul has shown immense maturity. The way he has shaped his game and developed, it has brought his character out.

Meanwhile, this will be a learning curve for the wicket-keeper batsman who has an illustrious future ahead.

Suresh Raina:

The veteran cricketer has had a topsy-turvy return to the national side. However, he has the experience of leading India sides on various occasions which will give him an extra advantage.

Raina, over the years, has been spectacular in white ball cricket and has contributed in all formats. He has played 73 T20Is scoring 1498 runs including a solitary hundred.

It will be a huge opportunity for the cricketer from Uttar Pradesh if he gets the opportunity.

Also read: Chris Gayle hails ‘King’ KL Rahul after a match-winning knock