Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) The schedule for India’s upcoming Ireland tour has been officially confirmed, setting the stage for what promises to be an exciting mini-series in June. The reigning T20 World champions will play a two-match T20I series in Belfast, marking their return to the Northern Irish city after almost two decades.
BCCI has confirmed the schedule of Team India’s T20 series for Ireland tour.
This announcement was made by BCCI Secretary Devjit Saikia on Saturday, after Cricket Ireland previously confirmed its summer calendar. Both matches will be played at the same venue in Belfast, at the same time – making it a compact but high-intensity series.
The fixtures are scheduled as follows:
- 1st T20I: June 26, 2026 (Friday) – 7:30 PM IST / 3:00 PM Local Time
- 2nd T20 Match: June 28, 2026 (Sunday) – 7:30 PM IST / 3:00 PM Local Time
What makes this tour special is India’s return to Belfast after 19 years. While India have toured Ireland several times in recent years – most notably in 2018, 2022 and 2023 – all those matches were played in Malahide, near Dublin. This time, Belfast has come into the limelight, adding a new dimension to the cricket relations between the two countries.
“Team India (Senior Men) will travel to Ireland for a two-match T20I series in June 2026. Having toured Ireland three times in the last eight years (2018, 2022 and 2023). This tour will mark India’s return to Belfast for the first time since 2007.” BCCI said in its official release.
For Northern Ireland fans, this is a rare opportunity to watch top-level international cricket, especially involving a high-profile team like India.
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Important series for both India and Ireland amid a jam-packed international calendar
Beyond the schedule, the timing of this series makes it important for both teams – but for very different reasons.
For India, this will be their first T20I assignment Winning the T20 World Cup 2026 title. Fresh from that win, the team will look to maintain the momentum and good combination ahead of a bigger challenge – the full white-ball tour of England starting in July. In many ways, the Ireland Series acts as a bridge between tournaments, giving players a chance to get into a rhythm and experiment with strategies.
India’s calendar is already full ahead of this series. Before heading to Ireland, they will host Afghanistan for a Test and three-match ODI series, which ends on June 20. Immediately following the Ireland tour, the team will travel to England for a demanding series of five T20Is and three ODIs across multiple venues, including Lord’s.
However, for Ireland, the series represents something deeper – a new beginning. The team is currently in a transition phase after a disappointing T20 World Cup campaign, where they bowed out in the group stage with just one win. Long serving T20I captain paul sterling has resigned from the leadership, opening the door for a new captain to take charge.
On the field, Ireland’s cricket calendar is also expanding rapidly. The India series is part of a busy domestic summer that includes a one-off Test against New Zealand and a five-match ODI series against Afghanistan in late August. Additionally, the Irish side is strengthening its global presence with tours to Nepal and the United Arab Emirates, as well as a historic multi-format tour of Pakistan in early 2027.
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