The India Tour of Ireland 2026 may only feature two T20 Internationals, but history suggests fans can expect plenty of excitement. India’s previous visits produced memorable moments, from Deepak Hooda’s century in 2022 to Jasprit Bumrah’s successful comeback in 2023. Now, with a new captain at the helm, India return to Belfast looking to continue their dominance.
In this article, we revisit the defining moments from India’s previous tours of Ireland, assess the key players who could shape the upcoming series, and predict what to expect when the two teams meet once again in 2026.
India Tour of Ireland 2026 Schedule
The 2026 series will consist of two T20 Internationals, both scheduled to be played at the Civil Service Cricket Club in Belfast.
India Tour of Ireland 2026 Match Schedule
1st T20I
- Date: June 26, 2026
- Venue: Belfast
- Start Time: 2:00 PM GMT
2nd T20I
- Date: June 28, 2026
- Venue: Belfast
- Start Time: 2:00 PM GMT
While Ireland’s squad is yet to be announced, India have already revealed a squad that combines proven performers with several exciting young talents.
India Squad
| Player | Role | Category |
|---|---|---|
| Shreyas Iyer (C) | Batter | Batter |
| Tilak Varma | Batter | Batter |
| Vaibhav Sooryavanshi | Batter | Batter |
| Abhishek Sharma | Batting All-rounder | All-rounder |
| Nitish Kumar Reddy | Batting All-rounder | All-rounder |
| Shivam Dube | Batting All-rounder | All-rounder |
| Axar Patel | Bowling All-rounder | All-rounder |
| Washington Sundar | Bowling All-rounder | All-rounder |
| Sanju Samson | Wicketkeeper-Batter | Wicketkeeper |
| Ishan Kishan | Wicketkeeper-Batter | Wicketkeeper |
| Ravi Bishnoi | Bowler | Bowler |
| Harshit Rana | Bowler | Bowler |
| Arshdeep Singh | Bowler | Bowler |
| Varun Chakaravarthy | Bowler | Bowler |
| Prince Yadav | Bowler | Bowler |
| Prasidh Krishna | Bowler | Bowler |
Squad Composition
| Category | Players |
|---|---|
| Batters | 3 |
| All-rounders | 5 |
| Wicketkeepers | 2 |
| Bowlers | 6 |
| Total | 16 |
India Tour of Ireland 2022: The Tour That Produced a Classic
The 2022 tour remains one of the most memorable T20I series between India and Ireland. While India ultimately secured a 2-0 series victory.
India Tour of Ireland 2022 at a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Series Result | India won 2-0 |
| Format | 2 T20Is |
| India Captain | Hardik Pandya |
| Player of the Series | Deepak Hooda |
| Leading Run Scorer | Deepak Hooda (151 runs) |
| Most Memorable Match | 2nd T20I, India won by 4 runs |
A New Chapter Under Hardik Pandya
The Ireland series marked Hardik Pandya’s first stint as India’s T20I captain. Coming aftrer his successful IPL winngin campaign with Gujarat Titans, the all-rounder was handed an opportunity to lead a young Indian squad.
The tour also served as an important platform for emerging players looking to strengthen their case ahead of the T20 World Cup later that year.
1st T20I: Ireland Show Their Potential
Although rain reduced the match to 12 overs per side, Ireland made a strong impression.
Match Summary
| Team | Score |
| Ireland | 108/4 (12 overs) |
| India | 111/3 (9.2 overs) |
Notable Performances
- Harry Tector – 64* (33)
- Hardik Pandya – 24 and 1 wicket
- Deepak Hooda – 47* (29)
Harry Tector’s unbeaten 64 showcased the growing quality within Ireland’s batting lineup, while Deepak Hooda continued his excellent form to guide India to victory.
2nd T20I: One of the Greatest India-Ireland Matches Ever
If the first game showed Ireland’s promise, the second demonstrated their ability to challenge elite opposition.
Match Summary
| Team | Score |
| India | 225/7 |
| Ireland | 221/5 |
| Result | India won by 4 runs |
Deepak Hooda delivered a stunning innings of 104 from just 57 deliveries, while Sanju Samson smashed 77 from 42 balls. Together, they added 176 runs for the second wicket, setting multiple records and helping India post a daunting total of 225.
Record-Breaking Partnership
| Players | Runs |
| Deepak Hooda & Sanju Samson | 176 |
The stand was the highest partnership for India in T20Is at the time and remains one of the finest batting displays seen in this rivalry.
Ireland’s Remarkable Fightback
Chasing 226, Ireland refused to back down.
Top Ireland Performers
| Player | Score |
| Andrew Balbirnie | 60 |
| Paul Stirling | 40 (18) |
| George Dockrell | 34* |
| Mark Adair | 23* (12) |
Ireland kept the chase alive until the final over and eventually finished on 221/5, falling just four runs short of a historic victory.
Despite ending on the losing side, the hosts earned widespread praise for pushing India all the way in a match that many still regard as the most entertaining contest between the two teams.
Key Takeaways From The 2022 Tour
- Hardik Pandya began his journey as India’s T20I captain.
- Deepak Hooda scored his maiden T20I century and finished as Player of the Series.
- Sanju Samson produced one of his best international T20 innings.
- Ireland proved they could compete with top-tier opposition.
- The thrilling 225 vs 221 encounter remains one of the highest-scoring and most memorable matches in the history of the rivalry.
More importantly, the series changed perceptions. Rather than being viewed as a routine assignment for India, Ireland emerged as a team capable of producing competitive, entertaining cricket against one of the world’s strongest sides.
India Tour of Ireland 2023: Bumrah’s Emotional Return
India Tour of Ireland 2023 at a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Series Result | India won 2-0 |
| Format | 3 T20Is |
| India Captain | Jasprit Bumrah |
| Player of the Series | Jasprit Bumrah |
| Leading Run Scorer (India) | Ruturaj Gaikwad (77 runs) |
| Leading Wicket Takers (India) | Jasprit Bumrah, Ravi Bishnoi & Prasidh Krishna (4 wickets each) |
| 3rd T20I | Abandoned due to rain |
A Special Comeback For Jasprit Bumrah
After missing several major tournaments through injury, Ireland provided the stage for one of the most anticipated comebacks in international cricket.
The fast bowler looked sharp from the outset, claiming wickets and showing signs of the rhythm that had made him one of the world’s premier bowlers.
1st T20I: A Winning Return For The Captain
Bumrah wasted little time making an impact.
Match Summary
| Team | Score |
|---|---|
| Ireland | 139/7 |
| India | 47/2 |
| Result | India won by DLS Method |
Notable Performances
- Jasprit Bumrah – 2 wickets
- Prasidh Krishna – 2 wickets
- Barry McCarthy – 51*
- Curtis Campher – 39
2nd T20I: India’s Young Guns Shine
The second match highlighted India’s growing depth in T20 cricket.
Match Summary
| Team | Score |
|---|---|
| India | 185/5 |
| Ireland | 152/8 |
| Result | India won by 33 runs |
India’s batting lineup featured several exciting young players, with Rinku Singh producing one of the standout performances of the series.
Key India Performers
| Player | Performance |
|---|---|
| Rinku Singh | 38* (21) |
| Ruturaj Gaikwad | 58 |
| Sanju Samson | 40 |
| Ravi Bishnoi | 2 wickets |
Rinku’s late-innings fireworks helped India post a challenging total before the bowlers completed a comfortable victory.
Emerging Stars Continue Their Rise
Beyond the results, the 2023 tour became another important chapter in the development of India’s next generation.
Several players who were still establishing themselves at international level used the series as an opportunity to gain valuable experience.
Future Stars In The Squad
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
- Tilak Varma
- Rinku Singh
- Ravi Bishnoi
- Prasidh Krishna
Many of these players have since become regular contributors in India’s white-ball setup, reinforcing Ireland’s reputation as a proving ground for emerging Indian talent.
Ireland Once Again Showed Their Fighting Spirit
Top Ireland Performers
| Player | Runs |
|---|---|
| Andrew Balbirnie | 76 |
| Curtis Campher | 57 |
| Barry McCarthy | 53 |
Their ability to recover from difficult situations and compete against a stronger Indian side highlighted the progress Ireland have made in T20 cricket over recent years.
Key Takeaways From The 2023 Tour
- Jasprit Bumrah made a successful return from injury.
- Bumrah captained India and won Player of the Series.
- Rinku Singh continued his rise as a finisher.
- Young players such as Tilak Varma and Yashasvi Jaiswal gained valuable international experience.
- India secured another series victory, winning 2-0.
- Ireland continued to show they can challenge stronger opponents despite the results.
A New Era Begins in 2026
Every recent India tour of Ireland there will alwasy a outbreaking news to surprised the audience.
- In 2022, it was Hardik Pandya’s first series as captain.
- In 2023, it was Jasprit Bumrah’s comeback.
- While In 2026, the spotlight might falls on Shreyas Iyer.
India have appointed Shreyas Iyer as their new T20I captain, signalling the beginning of a fresh chapter for the national side. The selectors have also handed a maiden call-up to teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, one of the most exciting young talents currently emerging in world cricket.
Players such as Sanju Samson, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, and Washington Sundar provide stability, while youngsters including Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Harshit Rana, Prince Yadav, and Nitish Kumar Reddy represent the future.
For Iyer, the Ireland series presents an opportunity to make an early statement as captain. His leadership will be closely scrutinised, particularly with a challenging tour of England scheduled to follow shortly afterwards.
Players You Should Not Miss Out in 2026 Match
Shreyas Iyer (India)
As India’s newly appointed T20I captain, Iyer carries the responsibility of leading a talented squad while establishing his own leadership identity. A successful series would provide the perfect start to his captaincy tenure.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (India)
The teenager earned his maiden India call-up following impressive performances in domestic and franchise cricket. If selected, the Ireland series could mark the beginning of a remarkable international journey.
Tilak Varma (India)
Tilak has steadily evolved into one of India’s most dependable young batters. Having previously toured Ireland in 2023, he enters the series with valuable experience and growing expectations.
Sanju Samson (India)
Ireland has been a happy hunting ground for Samson in the past. His memorable 77 during the 2022 series remains one of the finest innings played by an Indian batter in this rivalry.
Harry Tector (Ireland)
Assuming he is included in Ireland’s squad, Tector is likely to be among the hosts’ most important players. His unbeaten 64 against India in 2022 highlighted both his temperament and his ability to perform against top-quality opposition.
Paul Stirling (Ireland)
One of Ireland’s most experienced cricketers, Stirling remains capable of changing a match within a matter of overs. His aggressive batting could be crucial if Ireland hope to challenge India.
Predicted Ireland Core Group
Although Cricket Ireland has yet to announce its official squad, several familiar names are expected to feature prominently.
Potential selections could include:
- Paul Stirling
- Andrew Balbirnie
- Harry Tector
- Curtis Campher
- Mark Adair
- Josh Little
- Barry McCarthy
Many of these players have already delivered strong performances against India in previous encounters.
Series Prediction: Can Ireland Finally Break Through?
Ireland have shown in previous meetings that they are capable of challenging India, most notably during the thrilling 2022 series when they fell just four runs short of chasing 226. Playing at home, the hosts will once again believe they can push one of cricket’s biggest teams close.
However, India appear to have the stronger squad on paper, with greater depth, experience, and several proven match-winners across both batting and bowling departments. While Ireland have the potential to make the contest competitive, the visitors enter the series with a slight advantage.
The bigger question may not be whether Ireland can challenge India—but whether they can turn that challenge into a breakthrough result.
Who do you think will win the 2026 match? please comment and let us know!
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India Tour of Ireland 2026 FAQs
Both matches of the India Tour of Ireland 2026 are scheduled to be played at the Civil Service Cricket Club in Belfast.
The tour consists of two T20 Internationals, scheduled for June 26 and June 28, 2026.
Shreyas Iyer has been appointed captain of India’s T20I squad for the Ireland tour.
No. Ireland have produced several competitive performances against India but are yet to win a bilateral T20I series against the Men in Blue.
The Ireland series has often served as a platform for emerging Indian cricketers to gain international experience and impress selectors ahead of bigger tournaments.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is among the most exciting young talents in the squad and could be one of the players to watch if given an opportunity.
Experienced players such as Paul Stirling, Harry Tector, Curtis Campher, Josh Little, and Mark Adair are expected to play important roles for Ireland.
Many fans consider the second T20I of the 2022 series the most memorable encounter, with India scoring 225/7 and Ireland responding with 221/5 in a thrilling four-run finish.
Recent tours have featured major storylines, including Hardik Pandya’s first T20I series as captain in 2022 and Jasprit Bumrah’s successful comeback from injury in 2023.
The biggest talking point is the start of a new era under captain Shreyas Iyer, alongside the possibility of exciting young talents making their mark on the international stage.
