Belfast is set to host the Men in Blue for a T20I series, marking India’s return to the city after nineteen years. The series, which includes two matches, has garnered considerable attention, particularly due to the anticipated international debut of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. The young player, who is 15 years old, is poised to potentially become the youngest player to represent India, surpassing a record previously held by Sachin Tendulkar.
The upcoming matches are scheduled to begin on Friday, June 26, with the second game taking place on Sunday, June 28. Both games will be held at the Stormont ground in Belfast. The series has generated significant interest, leading Cricket Ireland to adjust the match timings. The start of both matches has been brought forward by one hour to 6 PM IST, with the toss scheduled for 5:30 PM IST. This change was made to avoid a clash with the India women’s cricket team’s match against Australia in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, ensuring that attention is not diverted from either event.
Team India’s Arrival and Downtime in Belfast
Upon their arrival in Northern Ireland, members of the Indian squad took the opportunity to explore Belfast before commencing their training. While some players chose to rest at the team hotel, others ventured out into the city. Shreyas Iyer, Tilak Varma, Abhishek Sharma, and Axar Patel were seen walking through the city streets, accompanied by fielding coach T Dilip. Several players also stopped for coffee, and the Indian captain visited a Japanese restaurant.
During overseas tours, players often appreciate the ability to move around publicly with less attention. Axar Patel and Abhishek Sharma were observed filming videos together, making the most of their leisure time. The team’s visit marks a significant return to Belfast, a city that is largely new territory for the current squad members, as India last played there in 2007.
Among those not seen in public was Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, though a video of his parents arriving at the team hotel circulated on social media. Romi Bhinder, the team manager for Rajasthan Royals, was also seen entering the hotel with them. The BCCI has reportedly allowed Sooryavanshi’s parents to stay with him throughout his time in the UK, and they are expected to be present for both T20Is in Belfast, regardless of whether he makes his debut.
Squad Details and Broadcast Information
The Indian squad for the series includes Shreyas Iyer as captain and Tilak Varma as vice-captain. Other notable players are Ravi Bishnoi, Abhishek Sharma, Suryansh Shedge, Prasidh Krishna, Sanju Samson, Axar Patel, Harshit Rana, Ishan Kishan, Washington Sundar, Arshdeep Singh, Shivam Dube, Prince Yadav, and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.
The Ireland squad features Lorcan Tucker as captain, alongside players such as Ross Adair, Ben Calitz, Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, Stephen Doheny, Matthew Humphreys, Gavin Hoey, Matthew Hollard, Liam McCarthy, Jai Moondra, Harry Tector, Tim Tector, and Reuben Wilson.
The India vs Ireland 2026 T20I series will be broadcast live on Sony Sports Network channels in India. Additionally, livestreaming will be available on the SonyLiv website and app. The series is expected to draw considerable viewership, especially with the anticipation surrounding Sooryavanshi’s potential debut.
Beyond the cricket, members of the Indian team are also looking forward to visiting the Titanic Belfast museum. This popular attraction, which tells the story of the RMS Titanic, offers an immersive experience and is a significant landmark in Belfast. The team hopes to find time to visit the museum before departing the city, adding a cultural element to their tour.
The first T20I match is scheduled to begin on Friday, June 26, with the toss taking place at 5:30 PM IST.
Source: revsportz.in
