India will take on Ireland in the first T20I of the three-match series at the Civil Service Cricket Club in Belfast on Friday, June 26. Both teams will aim to make a winning start to the series. Shreyas Iyer will lead the reigning T20 world champions, while Lorcan Tucker captains an injury-hit Ireland side.
India will play their first T20I match with confidence after winning the T20 World Cup earlier this year. Several senior players have been rested, giving young cricketers a chance to impress. With a strong squad and excellent depth, India will start the opening T20I as clear favourites.
Ireland will hope to make the most of home conditions and challenge the visitors in Belfast. However, Lorcan Tucker's side will miss several key players because of injuries, forcing them to rely on young talent. Ireland will need a complete team performance to upset the world champions.
India vs Ireland 1st T20I Match Details
Match: India vs Ireland, 1st T20I
Series: India tour of Ireland, 2026
Date: Friday, June 26, 2026
Time: 6:00 PM IST (1:30 PM Local Time)
Venue: Civil Service Cricket Club, Belfast
Live Streaming: Sony LIV app and website
Live Telecast: Sony Sports Network
India vs Ireland 1st T20I Team News
Nitish Kumar Reddy is ruled out of the series ahead of the opening T20I in Belfast. Shreyas Iyer will captain the side after Suryakumar Yadav stepped down following India's T20 World Cup triumph.
Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, and Sanju Samson are expected to strengthen the top order. Meanwhile, 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi could make his international debut during the second match.
Ireland will miss several key players because of injuries. Paul Stirling, Josh Little, Mark Adair, Curtis Campher, Barry McCarthy, and Jordan Neill are all unavailable for selection.
Captain Lorcan Tucker will rely on a young bowling attack. Gavin Hoey, Matthew Humphreys, Liam McCarthy, and Reuben Wilson are expected to shoulder the responsibility against India's strong batting lineup.
India vs Ireland 1st T20I Playing XI
India: Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan (WK), Sanju Samson, Shreyas Iyer (C), Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Suryansh Shedge, Axar Patel, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana.
Ireland: Ross Adair, Stephen Doheny, Lorcan Tucker (C & WK), Harry Tector, Tim Tector, Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, Matthew Humphreys, Liam McCarthy, Gavin Hoey, Reuben Wilson.
India vs Ireland 1st T20I Pitch Report
The pitch at the Civil Service Cricket Club has become much better for batting in recent T20Is. While the overall first-innings average at the venue is around 127 runs, the last six T20Is have produced an average of 161, with several teams crossing 170.
The new ball is likely to assist the seamers, especially under overcast conditions. However, batters who settle in can score freely, particularly during the death overs. Chasing teams have also enjoyed success at the venue, winning 16 of the 26 completed T20Is.
India vs Ireland 1st T20I Weather Report
The weather in Belfast is expected to remain overcast on Friday, with temperatures between 14°C and 16°C. Humidity will stay around 75%, along with light south-westerly winds.
There is a moderate chance of showers during the match, which could cause brief interruptions. Rain remains a possibility, although conditions are expected to improve if the showers stay light.
India vs Ireland 1st T20I Head-to-Head Record
India have dominated Ireland in T20Is, winning all eight meetings between the two teams. Ireland are yet to beat India in the format. India also won the most recent clash by eight wickets during the 2024 T20 World Cup in New York.
India vs Ireland 1st T20I Key Battles to Watch
Sanju Samson vs Matthew Humphreys:
Sanju Samson has been in outstanding form, scoring 327 runs in his last six T20I innings at an average of 65.40. Left-arm spinner Matthew Humphreys will look to slow him down through the middle overs.
Lorcan Tucker vs Arshdeep Singh:
Ireland captain Lorcan Tucker has scored 292 runs in his last 10 T20Is and will be key to the hosts' batting. Arshdeep Singh, who has taken 14 wickets in his last nine T20Is, will aim to remove Tucker early.
Ishan Kishan vs Gavin Hoey: Ishan Kishan enters the series in superb form with 420 runs in his last 10 matches at a strike rate of 202.89. Gavin Hoey could make his T20I debut and will face a tough test against the aggressive left-hander.
India vs Ireland 1st T20I Players to Watch
India
Sanju Samson: The T20 World Cup Player of the Tournament has scored 327 runs in his last six innings at a strike rate of 195.80.
Ishan Kishan: Kishan has been in exceptional form, scoring 420 runs in his last 10 matches at a strike rate above 200.
Arshdeep Singh: India's lead pacer has claimed 14 wickets in his last nine T20Is. The overcast conditions in Belfast could help him make an early impact.
Ireland
Lorcan Tucker: The captain has been Ireland's most consistent batter in T20Is, scoring 292 runs in his last 10 matches. Ireland will depend on him to anchor the innings.
Harry Tector: Tector has scored 244 runs in his last 10 matches and remains Ireland's key middle-order batter.
Matthew Humphreys: The left-arm spinner could play a crucial role in home conditions. Ireland will rely on him to keep India's powerful batting lineup under control.
India vs Ireland 1st T20I Free Live Streaming & Telecast Details
Fans in India can watch the live telecast of the first T20I on the Sony Sports Network and DD Sports. Live streaming will be available on the Sony LIV app and website. Coverage will begin before the toss.
India vs Ireland 1st T20I Match Prediction
India enter the opening T20I as clear favorites. With a strong batting lineup and a quality bowling attack, the visitors hold a clear advantage. Ireland's injury-hit squad faces a tough challenge, and India are expected to begin the series with a comfortable victory.
