Ireland name Lorcan Tucker as T20I captain & announce squad for India series

Ireland have named Lorcan Tucker as their new permanent T20I captain ahead of their two-match series against India, which commences on Friday, June 26 at the Stormont Cricket Ground in Belfast. 

Tucker, who previously captained the Irish outfit twice in the shortest format of the game, will replace Paul Stirling on a more permanent basis starting with the series against India, with a focus on qualifying for the 2028 T20 World Cup. 

The 29-year-old has a plethora of experience playing in T20I cricket, having earned 91 caps for his nation since making his debut in 2016. Apart from his short stint as the national captain, the wicketkeeper-batter has experienced leadership for his Inter-Provincial side, Leinster Lightning.

“It’s obviously a great privilege, and not one I thought would arrive when I started my career all those years ago. There’s a feeling of responsibility to the playing group and organisation to represent them well and also to all the other captains who came before me. I look back with admiration at all the captains that have led Ireland in the past and am proud to now join them,” Tucker said on Cricket Ireland’s official website. 

Ireland announce a new-look T20I vs India

Apart from naming a new captain, Ireland have announced their squad for the upcoming series against India. As many as three players have been handed their maiden T20I call-up. Those being Matthew Hollard, Jai Moondra and Reuben Wilson. The latter, however, has featured for the Men in Green in the solitary Test match against New Zealand earlier this year. 

It is worth mentioning that six T20I regulars are missing from the squad as they continue to recover from injuries. Notable names include former skipper Stirling (torn calf muscle), Josh Little (stress fracture), Mark Adair (rectus muscle tear), and Curtis Campher (hand fracture). 

Ireland’s squad for T20I vs India:

Lorcan Tucker (c), Ross Adair, Ben Calitz, Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, Stephen Doheny, Matthew Humphreys, Gavin Hoey, Matthew Hollard, Liam McCarthy, Jai Moondra, Harry Tector, Tim Tector, Reuben Wilson