While the reigning T20 World Cup champions are overwhelming favorites to begin with, much of the focus will be on teenage batting star Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who is set to make his international debut.
Will Sooryavanshi make her debut?
The 15-year-old has become one of the hottest topics in world cricket after joining the Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2026. He then scored a staggering 94 runs from just 29 balls for India A against Sri Lanka A in the three-series final at Dambulla.
Making his debut against Ireland will make Soriyavansh India’s youngest men’s international cricketer. However, inserting him into the starting lineup will not be easy.
India has confirmed its maximum order. Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson formed a successful opening combination during the T20 World Cup, while Ishan Kishan’s performance at number three was impressive. Team management must decide whether to retool the winning mix to accommodate the teenage prodigy.
A new era under Shreyas Iyer
The series also marks Iyer’s return to the Indian T20I squad for the first time since December 2023 and his first full-time captaincy since taking over from Suryakumar Yadav.
Iyer, who is coming off a successful IPL season as captain, will bring the same aggressive approach to the national team along with head coach Gautam Gambhir. India is expected to field a strong center of Iyer, Kishan and vice-captain Tilak Varma.
Choice call in bowling attack
India also need to take decisions with the ball.
The management will have to decide whether to bring Harshit Rana straight back into the XI once he regains fitness or continue with Prince Yadav and Prasidh Krishna, who have been in fine form of late, along with pace spearhead Arshdeep Singh.
Ireland tackles injury crisis
Ireland entered the series without several key players.
The hosts will be without experienced players such as Paul Sterling, Mark Adair and Josh Little due to injury. Newly appointed T20I captain Lorcan Tucker will lead a depleted squad, while uncapped bowlers Matthew Hollard and Jai Moondra have been called up for the first time.
records of indian rule
History is firmly in India’s favour. The Men in Blue have won all eight T20 matches they have played against Ireland, with their last encounter coming at the 2024 T20 World Cup.
India have done well in the tournament too, winning 12 of the 14 T20Is this year. They will also host an international match at Stormont for the first time since 2007.
Competition details
Match: India vs Ireland, 1st T20I
Date: Friday 26th June
Time: 6:00 pm (US Standard Time)
Venue: Stormont Civil Service Cricket Ground, Belfast
Live broadcast: Sony Sports Ten 1 SD & HD and Sony Sports Ten 5 SD & HD
Live streaming: SonyLiv website and app
