While the reigning T20 World Cup champions start as overwhelming favourites, much of the spotlight will be on teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who is on the verge of making his international debut.
Will Sooryavanshi make his 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 followed it up with 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 men’s international cricketer. However, fitting him into the playing XI is not straightforward.
India already have a settled top order. 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 a winning combination to accommodate the teenage prodigy.
A new era under Shreyas Iyer
The series also marks Iyer’s return to India’s T20I side for the first time since December 2023, and his first assignment as full-time captain after replacing Suryakumar Yadav.
Fresh from a successful IPL season as captain, Iyer will look to bring the same aggressive approach to the national side alongside head coach Gautam Gambhir. India are expected to field a power-packed middle order featuring Iyer, Kishan and vice-captain Tilak Varma.
Selection calls in the bowling attack
India also have decisions to make with the ball.
The management must decide whether to bring Harshit Rana straight back into the XI after his return to fitness or continue with recent performers Prince Yadav and Prasidh Krishna alongside pace spearhead Arshdeep Singh.
Ireland battling injury crisis
Ireland head into the series with several key players unavailable.
The hosts will be without experienced names including Paul Stirling, Mark Adair and Josh Little due to injuries. Newly appointed T20I captain Lorcan Tucker will lead a depleted side, with uncapped bowlers Matthew Hollard and Jai Moondra earning maiden call-ups.
India’s dominant record
History is firmly in India’s favour. The Men in Blue have won all eight T20Is they have played against Ireland and last met them during the 2024 T20 World Cup.
India are also enjoying an excellent run in the format, having won 12 of their 14 T20Is this year. They will also be playing an international match at Stormont for the first time since 2007.
Match details
Match: India vs Ireland, 1st T20I
Date: Friday, June 26
Time: 6:00 PM IST
Venue: Civil Service Cricket Ground, Stormont, Belfast
Live telecast: Sony Sports Ten 1 SD & HD and Sony Sports Ten 5 SD & HD
Live streaming: SonyLiv website and app
