India vs Ireland 1st T20I Live Score. All eyes on Vaibhav Sooryavanshi as Shreyas Iyer started as captain

While the reigning T20 World Cup champions started as overwhelming favourites, most of the spotlight was on teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who was on the verge of making his international debut.

Will Sooryavanshi make his debut?

The 15-year-old is one of the biggest talking points in world cricket after a sensational IPL 2026 campaign with Rajasthan Royals. He followed it up with 94 off just 29 balls for India A in the tri-series final against Sri Lanka A at Dambulla.

A debut against Ireland would see Sooryavanshi become India’s youngest male international cricketer. However, fitting him into the playing XI was not straightforward.

India now have a settled top order. Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson formed a successful opening pair during the T20 World Cup, while Ishan Kishan impressed at No. 3. Team management must decide whether to reshuffle the winning combination to accommodate the teenage prodigy.

A new era under Shreyas Iyer

The series also marks Iyer’s return to India’s T20I side for the first time since December 2023, and his first assignment as full-time captain after replacing Suryakumar Yadav.

Fresh from a successful IPL season as captain, Iyer will be looking to bring the same aggressive approach to the national side with head coach Gautam Gambhir. India are expected to field a power-packed order in the middle with Iyer, Kishan and vice-captain Tilak Varma.

Bowling attack selection calls

India also have decisions to make with the ball.

The management will have to decide whether to bring Harshit Rana back into the XI after his return to fitness or continue with new performers Prince Yadav and Prasidh Krishna along with pace spearhead Arshdeep Singh.

Ireland is struggling with an injury crisis

Ireland lead the series with several key players unavailable.

The hosts are without experienced names including Paul Stirling, Mark Adair and Josh Little due to injury. Newly appointed T20I captain Lorcan Tucker will lead a depleted side, with uncapped bowlers Matthew Hollard and Jai Moondra getting maiden calls.

India’s dominant record

History is strongly in India’s favor. The Men in Blue have won all eight T20Is they have played against Ireland and they last met during the 2024 T20 World Cup.

India have also enjoyed a good run in the format, winning 12 of their 14 T20Is this year. They will also play an international match at Stormont for the first time since 2007.

Game details:

Match: India vs Ireland, 1st T20I

Date: Friday, June 26:

Time: 6:00 PM IST

Venue: Civil Service Cricket Ground, Stormont, Belfast

Live telecast: Sony Sports Ten 1 SD & HD and Sony Sports Ten 5 SD & HD

Live streaming: SonyLiv website and app: