Former India T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav has backed the national team after their disappointing performance in Ireland. Despite being dropped from the team, amid growing criticism from fans, the senior batsman expressed full confidence in the young players and newly appointed captain Shreyas Iyer.
Under the captaincy of Shreyas Iyer, India lost by one run in the second T20 match. At the Civil Service Cricket Club in Belfast on Sunday, 28 June. Chasing 155, the Men in Blue finished at 153/9, giving Ireland a historic 2–0 series win and ending India’s record 16-match bilateral T20I series winning streak.
Team will perform well – Suryakumar Yadav supports Team India after Ireland series defeat
Sports Tak journalist Vikrant Gupta revealed during a live show that Suryakumar Yadav had messaged him. Former captain Suryakumar Yadav said that there is no need to panic and expressed full confidence in the young team.
“Paaji yaar, no one. The team will do well, I have full confidence in the boys. Then they will build muscles and make the flag of India. I think they will start adopting new culture and new ideas in a few games.”
(Don’t worry. The team will do well. We have full confidence in the boys. They will come back stronger and make India proud. I think it will take a few games to adapt to the new culture and new ideas.)
Suryakumar Yadav’s message to Vikrant Gupta
“Don’t worry Paaji team will do well, I have confidence in my boys. It will take some time to adapt to the new culture and new ideas.”
Respect for Suryakumar Yadavpic.twitter.com/zBmsvELQng
– Vikas (@Vikas662005) June 29, 2026
Suryakumar Yadav was recently removed as India’s T20I captain and was dropped from the squad during the T20 World Cup 2026 despite leading the team to the title. The right-handed batsman also had a disappointing IPL 2026 season with Mumbai Indians (MI).
Team India lost the T20 series to Ireland for the first time.
Ireland scored 154/8 in 20 overs. Debutant Prince Yadav impressed with figures of 3/22, while Arshdeep Singh and Shivam Dubey took two wickets each.
In reply, India had the worst start and the wickets of Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma fell in the very first over. Tilak Verma fought back, scoring 55 runs in 46 balls, but the rest of the batting lineup failed to build partnerships. India eventually finished at 153/9 and lost the match by one run.
This defeat sealed a historic 2–0 series win for Ireland. Before this tour, India had won all the eight T20 matches against Ireland. The hosts not only registered their first win over India in this format but also secured their first T20I series win against the Men in Blue.
The result also ended India’s remarkable 16-series winning streak in bilateral T20Is. This was India’s first T20I bilateral series defeat since the 2023 West Indies tour, where they lost the five-match series 3-2.
After Ireland’s defeat, India will tour England for a five-match T20 series
India will now turn their attention to the five-match T20 series against England, starting on July 1 at Chester-le-Street. Shreyas Iyer’s side have little time to recover from the 2-0 series defeat in Ireland, with another challenging overseas assignment awaiting them.
Most of the members of the team that toured Ireland will continue for the England series. The team management will have to quickly organize itself and rebuild confidence before facing the England team on home soil, in conditions where both the batsmen and bowlers are expected to be tested.
India will also have to learn from the mistakes made in Ireland. The collapse of the top order, lack of partnerships and failure to finish close matches proved costly. Addressing those issues will be important if the Men in Blue hope to bounce back against England.
