While the reigning T20 World Cup winners started as overwhelming favourites, much of the attention will be on teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who is on the verge of making his international debut.
Will Sooryavanshi debut?
The 15-year-old has been one of the biggest talking points in world cricket after a sensational IPL 2026 campaign with Rajasthan Royals. He went on to make a blistering 94 off just 29 balls for India A in the tri-series final against Sri Lanka A in Dambulla.
A debut against Ireland would see Sooryavanshi become India’s youngest international cricketer. However, fitting him into the playing XI is not easy.
India already has the top order established. Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson formed a successful opening pair during the T20 World Cup, while Ishan Kishan impressed at No. 3. The team management will have to decide whether to reshuffle the winning combination to accommodate the teenage prodigy.
A new era under Shreyas Iyer
The series also marks Iyer’s return to the Indian T20I side for the first time since December 2023 and his first assignment as full-time captain after replacing Suryakumar Yadav.
Fresh off a successful IPL season as captain, Iyer will look to bring the same aggressive approach to the national team alongside head coach Gautam Gambhir. India are expected to field a strong middle order that includes Iyer, Kishan and vice-captain Tilak Varma.
Selection of calls in the bowling attack
India also have to make decisions with the ball.
The management has to decide whether to bring Harshit Rana straight back into the XI after his return to form or continue with recent performers Prince Yadav and Prasidh Krishna alongside pace spearhead Arshdeep Singh.
Ireland are struggling with an injury crisis
Ireland enter the series with several key players unavailable.
The hosts will be without experienced names including Paul Stirling, Mark Adair and Josh Little due to injury. Newly appointed T20I captain Lorcan Tucker will lead a weakened side, with uncapped bowlers Matthew Hollard and Jai Moondro earning first call-ups.
India’s dominant record
History is firmly in favor of India. The Men in Blue have won all eight T20Is they have played against Ireland, and last faced them during the T20 World Cup 2024.
India are also enjoying an excellent run in the format, winning 12 of their 14 T20Is this year. He will also play an international match at Stormont for the first time since 2007.
Match details
Match: India vs Ireland 1st T20I
Date: Friday, June 26
Time: 18:00 IST
Venue: Civil Service Cricket Ground, Stormont, Belfast
Live Streaming: Sony Sports Ten 1 SD & HD and Sony Sports Ten 5 SD & HD
Live streaming: SonyLiv website and app
