India tour of Ireland 2026 is a two-match T20I series scheduled from June 26 to June 28, 2026, at the Civil Service Cricket Club, Belfast.
This tour marks India’s fourth visit to Irish soil since 2018 and the first under new T20I captain Shreyas Iyer, who replaced 2026 T20 World Cup-winning skipper Suryakumar Yadav.
Additionally, 15-year-old sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi could become India’s youngest-ever international cricketer if he gets a debut during this series.
Here is everything you need to know about the IND vs IRE T20I series 2026, including schedule, squads, head-to-head stats, broadcast details, and key players to watch.
India Tour of Ireland 2026 Schedule
Both T20Is will be played at the same venue in Belfast. Consequently, Ireland becomes the host for a compact two-match series with just a day’s gap between fixtures.
| Match | Date | Venue | Time (IST) | Time (Local) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st T20I | Fri, June 26 | Civil Service Cricket Club, Belfast | 7:30 PM | 3:00 PM |
| 2nd T20I | Sun, June 28 | Civil Service Cricket Club, Belfast | 7:30 PM | 3:00 PM |
Interestingly, both matches start at 2:00 PM GMT, which translates to 7:30 PM IST. As a result, Indian fans can expect games to wrap up by 10:00-10:30 PM, making it a comfortable prime-time viewing window.
Following this series, the same Indian squad will travel to England for a five-match T20I series starting July 1, 2026.
India Squad for Ireland Tour 2026
The BCCI announced a 16-member squad on June 6, 2026. However, two late changes reshaped the final touring party. Mohammed Siraj was replaced by Prasidh Krishna due to workload management.
Furthermore, Varun Chakravarthy was ruled out after failing to recover from a foot injury sustained during IPL 2026. The final 15-member squad is as follows:
| Role | Player(s) |
|---|---|
| Captain | Shreyas Iyer |
| Vice-Captain | Tilak Varma |
| Batters | Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Ishan Kishan (WK), Sanju Samson (WK) |
| All-Rounders | Abhishek Sharma, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar |
| Spinners | Ravi Bishnoi |
| Fast Bowlers | Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Harshit Rana, Prince Yadav |
Key Selection Changes and Talking Points
Here are Key Selection for both teams:
Shreyas Iyer Named New T20I Captain
The biggest headline from this squad announcement is Shreyas Iyer’s appointment as India’s T20I captain. He replaces Suryakumar Yadav, who led India to the 2026 T20 World Cup title in March but was subsequently dropped due to sustained poor form.
BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar acknowledged the tough call, saying: “We debated it a lot, not the easiest discussion especially if you’ve won the World Cup.”
Iyer’s franchise cricket record backs the decision. He led KKR to the IPL 2024 title, guided Delhi Capitals to the 2020 final, and took Punjab Kings to the IPL 2026 final. On top of that, he scored 498 runs at a strike rate of 168.81 in IPL 2026.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi: India’s Youngest-Ever Squad Call-Up
At just 15 years old, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi became the youngest player ever selected for a senior Indian cricket squad in any format. If he debuts in Belfast, he will break Sachin Tendulkar’s record of being India’s youngest international cricketer.
The left-hander’s selection was driven by a record-breaking IPL 2026 campaign for Rajasthan Royals. He scored 776 runs in 16 matches at an astonishing strike rate of 237.30, winning both the Orange Cap and MVP award.
Agarkar said it plainly: “He almost single-handedly carried Rajasthan Royals… We have high hopes for him.”
Notable Omissions from the Squad
Several big names are missing from this touring party. Suryakumar Yadav has been dropped entirely from the T20I setup despite winning the World Cup just months ago.
Jasprit Bumrah has been rested for workload management, with 21 Tests planned across the next 12 months. Similarly, Hardik Pandya and Rinku Singh are not part of this squad.
Rajat Patidar was also overlooked despite captaining RCB to back-to-back IPL titles in 2025 and 2026.
Ireland’s T20I Setup Ahead of India Series
Ireland will enter this series under new T20I leadership. Paul Stirling stepped down as T20I captain in March 2026 after Ireland’s group-stage exit from the T20 World Cup. However, he continues as ODI captain and remains available as a player.
Cricket Ireland has not yet announced a permanent T20I captain. Lorcan Tucker, who deputised as captain during the 2026 T20 World Cup after Stirling’s knee injury, is a strong candidate. Harry Tector is also under consideration.
Ireland’s probable squad will likely feature core players from the ICC profile: Paul Stirling, Andrew Balbirnie, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Josh Little, Mark Adair, Curtis Campher, Barry McCarthy, Craig Young, George Dockrell, Gareth Delany, Ross Adair, Ben White, Graham Hume, and Neil Rock.
Heinrich Malan remains Ireland’s head coach for this assignment.
India vs Ireland T20I Head-to-Head Record
India hold a perfect 8-0 record against Ireland in T20I cricket. The Men in Blue have won every single T20I played between these two sides. Despite this dominance, some encounters have been surprisingly close.
| Stat | Details |
|---|---|
| Total T20Is Played | 8 |
| India Wins | 8 |
| Ireland Wins | 0 |
| No Result | 0 |
| India’s Highest Score | 225/7 (Dublin, 2022) |
| Ireland’s Highest vs India | 221/5 (Dublin, 2022) |
| India’s Lowest Score | 185/5 (Dublin, 2023) |
| Ireland’s Lowest vs India | 70 (Dublin, 2018) |
Top Performers in India vs Ireland T20Is
| Top Run-Scorer | Runs | Top Wicket-Taker | Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rohit Sharma (IND) | 201 runs | Jasprit Bumrah (IND) | 8 wickets |
| Andrew Balbirnie (IRE) | 161 runs | Craig Young (IRE) | 7 wickets |
| Deepak Hooda (IND) | 151 runs | Yuzvendra Chahal (IND) | 6 wickets |
The highest-scoring encounter came in Dublin in 2022. India posted 225/7, powered by Deepak Hooda’s century (104 off 57 balls). Ireland nearly pulled off an incredible chase, finishing on 221/5, falling just 4 runs short. That game remains one of the most thrilling T20Is in this rivalry’s short history.
On the flip side, India’s biggest win came in 2018 when they crushed Ireland by 143 runs. So if Ireland fans are looking for hope, the 2022 classic is the match to remember.
India’s Previous Tours of Ireland
India have toured Ireland three times before this 2026 visit: in 2018, 2022, and 2023. All three tours resulted in series wins for India.
| Year | Format | Result | Venue | Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 2 T20Is | India 2-0 | Dublin | Yuzvendra Chahal (6 wickets in 2 matches) |
| 2022 | 2 T20Is | India 2-0 | Dublin | Deepak Hooda (151 runs, Player of the Series) |
| 2023 | 3 T20Is | India 2-0* | Dublin | *1 match washed out; Jasprit Bumrah captained India for the first time |
Notably, this 2026 tour marks India’s return to Belfast for the first time since 2007. All three recent tours (2018, 2022, 2023) were played in Dublin.
Venue: Civil Service Cricket Club, Belfast
Both T20Is will be played at the Civil Service Cricket Club (also known as Stormont Cricket Ground), located in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
This ground sits within the Stormont Estate and has been a regular host for Ireland’s international cricket fixtures. It offers a picturesque setting with the Northern Ireland Parliament building as a backdrop.
Belfast’s June weather typically offers long daylight hours with temperatures between 12-18°C. However, overcast conditions and occasional rain are common, which could assist swing bowling and make toss decisions crucial.
Historically, pitches in Belfast have offered something for both batters and bowlers. New-ball movement is usually on offer early, while the ball tends to come on nicely for stroke-making once the surface dries out.
How to Watch India Tour of Ireland 2026 Live
Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) has secured exclusive television and digital media rights for India’s tour of Ireland 2026.
| Platform | Details |
|---|---|
| TV Broadcast (India) | Sony Sports Network |
| Live Streaming (India) | SonyLIV (app and website) |
| Match Timing (IST) | 7:30 PM |
| Match Timing (Local) | 3:00 PM BST |
| Match Timing (GMT) | 2:00 PM |
Since matches begin at 7:30 PM IST, Indian viewers can comfortably watch the full game during prime-time hours without staying up past midnight.
Key Players to Watch
Here are Key Players to watch out for best teams:
For India
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is undoubtedly the biggest attraction. His explosive left-handed batting lit up IPL 2026, and a debut in Belfast would write a new chapter in Indian cricket history.
Abhishek Sharma will be expected to anchor the top order. He hammered 563 runs in IPL 2026 at a strike rate of 204.72 for SRH, with one century and four fifties.
Arshdeep Singh remains India’s primary new-ball option in T20Is. Despite a tough IPL 2026 (14 wickets at an economy of 10.20), conditions in Belfast could suit his left-arm swing bowling perfectly.
Meanwhile, Shreyas Iyer will look to stamp his authority as captain from the very first ball. His middle-order batting and tactical acumen will be under the spotlight.
For Ireland
Paul Stirling is Ireland’s all-time leading T20I run-scorer with 3,895 runs in 163 matches at a strike rate of 134.35. Playing on home turf gives him a significant advantage, and his power hitting at the top can put any bowling attack under pressure.
Josh Little has been Ireland’s standout left-arm fast bowler in recent years. His ability to generate pace and swing in home conditions makes him the host team’s biggest wicket-taking threat.
Lorcan Tucker could lead Ireland in this series. The wicketkeeper-batter showed composure during the 2026 T20 World Cup, scoring a crucial knock against Oman.
Harry Tector has matured into one of Ireland’s most reliable middle-order batters. His ability to anchor innings under pressure makes him a vital cog in the Irish lineup.
Why This Tour Matters for Both Teams
This series kicks off a new cycle for Indian cricket. With the 2028 T20 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand as the long-term target, selectors want to build a settled core under Iyer’s leadership.
It is also India’s first T20I assignment since winning the 2026 T20 World Cup in March, where they defeated New Zealand in the final at Ahmedabad.
Additionally, the tour gives uncapped players like Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Prince Yadav their first crack at international cricket against relatively lower-pressure opposition.
For Ireland, hosting India is massive. Every game against a top team is a learning opportunity, and the matches double as revenue generators for Cricket Ireland.
Moreover, the series serves as the first assignment under a new T20I captain. It sets the tone for Ireland’s rebuild ahead of the 2028 T20 World Cup cycle.
Ireland came close in 2022 and 2023, so they know they can compete with India. The question is whether they can finally convert that competitiveness into their first-ever T20I win against the Men in Blue.
Final Thoughts
The India tour of Ireland 2026 may be short at just two matches, but it is packed with storylines. A new captain, a 15-year-old prodigy chasing records, and a reshaped squad mark the beginning of India’s next T20I era.
For Ireland, every ball bowled to India is an opportunity to prove they belong at the top table of world cricket.
Tune in on Sony Sports Network or stream live on SonyLIV starting June 26, 2026, at 7:30 PM IST.
