The era of Shreyas Iyer’s captaincy will begin in India. When they take on Ireland in the first T20I of the three-match series at the Civil Service Cricket Club in Belfast on Friday, June 26. India will enter the match under new leadership after winning the T20 World Cup earlier this year.
Ireland had a disappointing T20 World Cup campaign and finished fourth in Group B. Lorcan Tucker will lead the side with injuries in the absence of several key players. The hosts would like to utilize the home conditions well and challenge the world champions in the opening match of the series.
India vs Ireland 1st T20 match details
match: India vs Ireland, 1st T20I
Tournament: 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 T20 match pitch and weather report
The Civil Service Cricket Club pitch has become more batting-friendly in recent T20Is. While the overall average in the first innings is around 127, the average in the last six matches has been 161. The fast bowlers should get the early pace, but the batsmen can score freely once they settle down.
The weather in Belfast 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 and cloudy sky may help the fast bowlers at the beginning of the match.
India vs Ireland 1st T20I head-to-head record
India have dominated Ireland in T20Is and have won all eight matches between the two teams. Ireland has not yet registered a win in this match. During the recent meeting, India won by eight wickets during the 2024 T20 World Cup in New York.
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 toss prediction
Teams generally prefer to chase at Civil Services Cricket Club. Teams batting second have won 15 of the 25 completed T20Is played at the venue. In cloudy conditions, the seamers are expected to get early help, with the captain winning the toss likely to bowl first.
India vs Ireland 1st T20 Match Score Prediction
If India bat first, their powerful top order comprising Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan can help them post a huge score between 180-195 runs.
If Ireland bat first, India’s disciplined bowling attack could make it extremely difficult to score runs in the middle overs. Ireland could end up with a score between 125-135 runs.
Key players to watch in India vs Ireland 1st T20 match
India
Sanju Samson: After a brilliant performance in the T20 World Cup, the wicketkeeper-batsman is entering the series in excellent form. His aggressive strokeplay makes him India’s best batsman at the top order.
Ishan Kishan: Kishan can put pressure on the bowlers from the beginning. His aggressive approach against both pace and spin makes him a key player in the middle order.
Arshdeep Singh: India’s leading fast bowlers will try to take full advantage of the cloudy conditions. His ability to swing the new ball and bowl the death overs adds balance to the attack.
ireland
Lorcan Tucker: The captain will shoulder the responsibility of leading an inexperienced batting unit. Ireland needs to play long innings against India’s strong bowling attack.
Harry Tector: Tector is one of Ireland’s most reliable middle-order batsmen. Their ability to build partnerships will be crucial if the hosts are to post a competitive score.
Matthew Humphries: The left-arm spinner can play an important role on a surface that provides some support to the slower bowlers. Ireland will hope to control the middle overs and break important partnerships.
India vs Ireland 1st T20I Best Batsman Prediction
India
Sanju Samson is a strong contender to become India’s leading run-scorer in the inaugural T20I. The wicketkeeper-batsman has scored 327 runs in his last six T20I innings at a strike rate of 195.80. His aggressive style makes him India’s biggest batting weapon.
ireland
Lorcan Tucker is Ireland’s best player in terms of scoring most runs. The captain has been one of Ireland’s most consistent T20I batsmen, scoring 292 runs in his last 10 matches. Ireland will depend on him to carry the innings forward.
India vs Ireland 1st T20I Best Bowler Prediction
India
Arshdeep Singh is a strong contender to become India’s top wicket-taker. The left-arm fast bowler has taken 14 wickets in his last nine T20 matches. The cloudy conditions in Belfast may help him achieve early swings and breakthroughs.
ireland
Matthew Humphreys is expected to be Ireland’s most effective bowler. The left-arm spinner will try to keep India’s aggressive batsmen under pressure in the middle overs.
India vs Ireland chances of winning the first T20 match
India vs Ireland 1st T20 Match Prediction
India have a strong batting lineup, an experienced bowling attack and an unbeaten record against Ireland. 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.