The 72-year-old former national team captain and all-rounder has taken over from Ravi Shastri, who was interim manager for the recent series in Bangladesh.

"People can say anything. I don't think age has anything to do with it. I am very confident; I'll do my job well," Borde said.

As well as having had two stints as chairman of selectors, Borde also has experience of managing India after leading the team on the 1989 tour to Pakistan.

"I have prior experience as manager and I certainly think the experience can be of great help," he told Times of India.

"Besides that, I am very much associated with the game. I have also travelled as coach with the India Under-19 team to England.

"I will be moving with my team to England and we are confident of putting up a good show."

India are still without a coach following the resignation of Greg Chappell after the World Cup, with Graham Ford's decision to turn down the post coming as a major blow to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

Venkatesh Prasad and Robin Singh will be on hand to assist the squad as bowling and fielding coaches respectively, with Borde overseeing matters as manager.

"I have received a letter from the BCCI, which states that I will be the manager for the tour to Ireland and England," he said.

"I have been asked to accompany the team as a manager for the twin tour. As of now, I have not been informed about the coach's role."

And he does not want to speculate as to who the new coach will be.

"No, I don't have anyone in mind," he said. "It is up to the selection committee to decide the right person for the coach's job. I don't want to say anything on this."

Although no coach has yet been appointed, the BCCI interviewing former South Africa coach Ford and ex-England spinner John Emburey earlier this week suggests they are looking for a foreigner to take up the reins.

Whether this is necessarily the case or not, Borde does not believe it is down to a lack of commitment and discipline in the squad.

He said: "Who said that players lack commitment and discipline? It is a wrong presumption. How can a player perform without commitment? Players are very much disciplined."

Borde will meet the players for the first time on June 19 in Mumbai, with the first match against India in Belfast on June 23.

There have been reports Borde wants Sourav Ganguly and Sachin Tendulkar to open the batting in Ireland, but the new manager insists that decision is not his alone.

"I have never said that Sachin and Sourav make the best opening pair," he stated. "It is with the committee to decide who will open for Team India."

When asked if he expected his batsmen to struggle on bouncy pitches, Borde replied: "It's not that the Indian batsmen do not enjoy bouncy tracks. We have immense talent.

"It's all about getting acclimatised to the different kinds of pitches. Once the players get to know the conditions, they can perform well."