India will take on Ireland in the first T20I of the three-match series at the Civil Service Cricket Club, 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 will captain the injury-hit Ireland team.
India will be playing their first T20 match with confidence after winning the T20 World Cup earlier this year. Many senior players have been rested, giving the young cricketers a chance to impress. With a strong squad and excellent depth, India will start as clear favorites in the opening T20I.
Ireland will hope to make the most of home conditions and challenge the visitors in Belfast. However, Lorcan Tucker’s team will be missing several key players due to injuries, forcing them to rely on young talent. Ireland will need a complete team performance to upset the world champions.
India vs Ireland 1st T20 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 broadcast: Sony Sports Network
India vs Ireland 1st T20I Team News
Nitish Kumar Reddy has been ruled out of the series before the opening T20 match in Belfast.. Shreyas Iyer will captain the team after Suryakumar Yadav stepped down following India’s T20 World Cup win.
Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan and Sanju Samson are expected to strengthen the top order. At the same time, 15 year old Vaibhav Suryavanshi can make his international debut during the second match.
Ireland will be missing several key players due to injuries. Paul Sterling, Josh Little, Mark Adair, Curtis Campher, Barry McCarthy and Jordan Neal are all unavailable for selection.
Captain Lorcan Tucker will rely on a young bowling attack. Gavin Hoey, Matthew Humphreys, Liam McCarthy and Ruben Wilson are expected to handle the responsibility against India’s strong batting lineup.
India vs Ireland 1st T20I Playing XI
India: Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan (wicketkeeper), Sanju Samson, Shreyas Iyer (captain), Tilak Verma, Shivam Dubey, Suryansh Shedge, Axar Patel, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana.
Ireland: Ross Adair, Stephen Doheny, Lorcan Tucker (C&WK), Harry Tector, Tim Tector, Gareth Delaney, George Dockrell, Matthew Humphreys, Liam McCarthy, Gavin Hoey, Reuben Wilson.
India vs Ireland 1st T20 match pitch report
The Civil Services Cricket Club pitch has become much better for batting in the recent T20Is. While the overall first innings average at the venue is around 127 runs, the last six T20Is have averaged 161, with several teams reaching 170.
The new ball is likely to help the seamers, especially in cloudy conditions. However, batsmen who settle down can score freely, especially during the death overs. Teams chasing the target have also had success at the venue and have won 16 of the 26 completed T20Is.
india vs ireland 1st t20 match weather report
The weather in Belfast on Friday is expected to be cloudy, with temperatures between 14°C and 16°C. Humidity will be around 75% with light south-westerly winds.
There is a moderate chance of rain during the match, which may cause interruption for some time. There remains a possibility of rain, although the situation is expected to improve if the rain remains light.
India vs Ireland 1st T20I head-to-head record
India have dominated Ireland in T20Is and have won all eight encounters between the two teams. Ireland has not yet defeated India in this format. India also won the recent clash during the 2024 T20 World Cup in New York by eight wickets.
India vs Ireland 1st T20 match main matches worth watching
Sanju Samson vs Matthew Humphries:
Sanju Samson has been in great form and has scored 327 runs in his last six T20 innings at an average of 65.40. Left-arm spinner Matthew Humphreys will try to slow him down in the middle overs.
Lorcan Tucker vs Arshdeep Singh:
Ireland captain Lorcan Tucker has scored 292 runs in his last 10 T20 matches and will be key to the hosts’ batting. Arshdeep Singh, who has taken 14 wickets in his last nine T20Is, will aim to dismiss Tucker early.
Ishan Kishan vs Gavin Hoey: Ishan Kishan has been in great form scoring 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.
Players to watch in India vs Ireland 1st T20 match
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 leading fast bowler has taken 14 wickets in his last nine T20 matches. Cloudy conditions in Belfast could help it take effect quickly.
ireland
Lorcan Tucker: The captain has been Ireland’s most consistent batsman in T20Is, scoring 292 runs in his last 10 matches. Ireland will depend on him to carry the innings forward.
Harry Tector: Tector has scored 244 runs in his last 10 matches and remains Ireland’s leading middle-order batsman.
Matthew Humphries: The left arm spinner can play an important role in home conditions. Ireland will depend on them to keep India’s powerful batting lineup in check.
India vs Ireland 1st T20I Free Live Streaming and Telecast Details
Fans in India can watch the live telecast of the first T20 match on Sony Sports Network and DD Sports. Live streaming will be available on Sony LIV app and website. Coverage will start before the toss.
India vs Ireland 1st T20 Match Prediction
India are entering the opening T20 match as clear favourites. With a strong batting lineup and a quality bowling attack, the visiting team clearly has the advantage. The Irish team, which is struggling with injuries, is facing a tough challenge and it is expected that India will start the series with an easy win.
