As the T20 World Cup players start to become hot favourites, the focus will be on young batsman Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who is about to make his international debut.
Will Sooryavanshi start?
The 15-year-old has become one of the most talked about figures in world cricket after an impressive IPL 2026 campaign with Rajasthan Royals. He followed with 94 off just 29 balls for India A in the tri-series final against Sri Lanka A at Dambulla.
The debut against Ireland will see Sooryavanshi become India’s first international cricketer. However, putting him in the playing XI is not straightforward.
India already has a stable system. Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson formed the winning opening pair at the T20 World Cup, while Ishan Kishan impressed at No.
A new era under Shreyas Iyer
The series also marks Iyer’s return to the Indian T20I team for the first time since December 2023, and his first stint as full-time captain after replacing Suryakumar Yadav.
Fresh from a successful IPL season as captain, Iyer will look to bring the same brutal approach to the national team alongside head coach Gautam Gambhir. India are expected to field a middle-order consisting of Iyer, Kishan and vice-captain Tilak Varma.
Choosing to call in a bowling attack
India also have some decisions to make with football.
The management has to decide whether to bring back Harshit Rana in the XI after he returns to fitness or continue with the current players Prince Yadav and Prasidh Krishna along with Arshdeep Singh.
Ireland are struggling with injury problems
Ireland joins the list of many games not available.
The players will be without experienced names including Paul Stirling, Mark Adair and Josh Little due to injury. New T20I captain Lorcan Tucker will lead the depleted squad, with absent players Matthew Hollard and Jai Moondra called up.
Indian history
History favors India. The Men in Blue have won all eight T20Is they have played against Ireland and they last met in the 2024 T20 World Cup.
India are also enjoying a good run of form, having won 12 of their 14 T20Is this year. They will also be playing international games at Stormont for the first time since 2007.
Game details
Match: India vs Ireland, 1st T20I
Date: Friday, June 26
Time: 6:00 PM IST
Venue: Civil Service Cricket Ground, Stormont, Belfast
Live channels: Sony Sports Ten 1 SD & HD and Sony Sports Ten 5 SD & HD
Live streaming: SonyLiv website and app
