Team India head coach Rahul Dravid and his team of support is likely to be rested for the upcoming Ireland tour, which will be followed by the conclusion of the ongoing West Indies tour.
Team India is currently in the Caribbean for two Tests, three ODIs and five T20Is.
The visitors won the opening Test in Dominica by an innings and 141 runs and will now head to Trinidad for the second and final game of the series.
According to Cricbuzz, Dravid & Co – batting coach Vikram Rathour and bowling coach Paras Mhambrey, will return home from the United States where the last two matches of the West Indies tour will be played. In their absence, the staff at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) will take charge of the upcoming Ireland tour where Team India is scheduled to play three T20Is against the hosts.
If the report comes true, VVS Laxman will be serving as the head coach while the batting and bowling coaches will be finalised later, the report further stated.
Botably, NCA chief Laxman had previously accompanied the team as a coach on the tours of Ireland and the West Indies in 2022.
As per reports, the main motive behind resting Dravid and others is to give them enough rest before the Asia Cup 2024, scheduled to begin from August 31, followed by a three-match ODI series against Australia at home and the ODI World Cup in October.
Several media reports have also climed that ace all-rounder Hardik Pandya would lead the team in Ireland T20Is, scheduled to be held in Dublin on August 18, 20, and 23. The squad for the Ireland T20Is will be announced once newly-appointed chief selector Ajit Agarkar has a meeting with coach Dravid and captain Rohit Sharma.
Meanwhile, Salil Ankola, one of the members of the selection committee, is already travelling with the team in the Windies while Agarkar is likely to arrive during the second Test in Trinidad.
Meanwhile, several reports also suggests that ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah, who has been out of action since September last year, is on his way to attain full fitness and his rehab program is being closely monitored by NCA chief Laxman. Bumrah, if declared fit, would be a part of the Ireland tour.
Meanwhile, Shreyas Iyer, who missed out IPL 2023, would also make a comeback with the Ireland T20Is but, the return of KL Rahul, who suffered a thigh injury in the IPL 2023 and had to go under the knife, is still uncertain.