Changes and constants as India begin new T20 cycle against Ireland

More than three months after successfully defending their T20 World Cup crown, India embark upon a new cycle with a tour of the UK, commencing with a two-match T20I series against Ireland in Belfast. While T20s may take a backseat in an ODI World Cup year, there's no shortage of volume or talking points.

Both teams arrive with new captains. Attention is centred on Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's first international tour. The 15-year-old receiving his cap appears a matter of when, not if, but a settled top-order after the World Cup creates a 'will he, won't he' intrigue.

Suryakumar Yadav has been dropped after underwhelming returns, with India ushering in a new era under Shreyas Iyer. While his leadership credentials are established through IPL exploits, he'll want to make an instant impact with the bat, having last played a T20I for India in December 2023. The squad wears a settled look, with Jasprit Bumrah (rested) and Hardik Pandya (rested, then injured) notable absentees.

Ireland also see a change of guard, with Lorcan Tucker taking over full-time from the injured Paul Stirling. Cricket's perennial giant-killers have promised much without consistency and are plagued by injuries. This is their third time hosting India since 2022, but they face an Indian side that has made a habit of smashing records.

Ireland should emerge better for the experience, but to push the champions they must convert promise into substance.

When: Friday, June 26, 2026, 1:30 PM local / 6 PM IST
Where: Civil Service Cricket Club, Stormont, Belfast
What to expect: Showers are forecast but may not be severe enough to rule out a result. The surface had a green look two days out; runs should be there, but seamers could make an impact under overcast skies.

India: Nitish Kumar Reddy is ruled out with a quadriceps injury, replaced by uncapped Suryansh Shedge. Varun Chakaravarthy is unavailable, completing rehab for a foot injury. Ravi Bishnoi could lead the spin attack. Harshit Rana is likely to start as the bowling all-rounder at No. 8, returning from knee surgery. Prince Yadav could earn a cap after his ODI debut last week. Sooryavanshi's debut remains uncertain—hard to see India splitting the top-three that won the World Cup final, but they also dropped their World Cup-winning captain.

Probable XI: Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wk), Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer (c), Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Harshit Rana, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Prince Yadav

Ireland: Josh Little, Mark Adair, and Curtis Campher are among six unavailable, depriving Ireland of bowling leaders and balance. The hosts could field a raw four-pronged pace attack led by one-T20I old Liam McCarthy, with debuts likely for Reuben Wilson, Matthew Hollard, and Indian-born left-armer Jai Moondra. Left-arm spinner Matthew Humphreys may struggle to make the XI given India's left-handers.

Probable XI: Tim Tector, Ross Adair, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker (c & wk), George Dockrell, Gareth Delany, Benjamin Calitz, Liam McCarthy, Reuben Wilson, Matthew Hollard, Jai Moondra

India have won all eight previous T20Is against Ireland, the last at the 2024 T20 World Cup in New York. This is India's first T20I at Stormont; they played an ODI there in 2007, where current head coach Gautam Gambhir was Player of the Match for an unbeaten 80.

Sooryavanshi has struck the second-most sixes in all T20s in 2026 (72), all in the IPL. Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan are tied fourth with Mitchell Marsh on 66 each.

"I think it's pretty incredible for them to have a 15-year-old on their team… credit to him. He's a pretty special player. We're obviously hoping we'll see him this week. It'll be a big moment for him… it'll be great to spoil that party." — Irish skipper Lorcan Tucker on Vaibhav Sooryavanshi

"I am sure that he [Sooryavanshi] will get his dues and opportunities. I don't think that just to give him an opportunity, we should drop someone who has already been scoring runs." — Indian batting coach Sitanshu Kotak