Former India captain Chandu Borde has been appointed manager of the Indian cricket team for the tours of Ireland and England [Images], it was learnt on Tuesday.

The Board of Control of Cricket in India also appointed former India players Venkatesh Prasad and Robin Singh as the team's bowling and fielding coaches respectively on the tours.

For 72-year-old Borde, the appointment is no new task. He served as manager during India's tour of Pakistan in 1989.

He also had two stints as chairman of the national selection committee, from 1984 to 1986 and then from 1999 to 2002.

"This has come as a very pleasant surprise. I am very happy to accept it. I take it as a challenge," said the former India captain and middle order batting mainstay from Pune.

"I was the manager in 1989 in Pakistan which was a very tough tour. Our team did very well. That was also the debut series for Sachin [Tendulkar].

"Coming to the present assignment I know all the boys and I look forward to the challenge," he added.

A leg-spin all-rounder, Borde played 55 Tests, scored 3061 runs and took 52 wickets.

India will play three ODIs against South Africa in Ireland, between June 26 and July 1. 

They then contest a one-off one-day international against Pakistan at Glasgow, Scotland, on July 3 before moving to England for a full-fledged series -- between July 7 and September 8 -- comprising three Tests and seven ODIs.

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