Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s potential India debut gets the green light after a big decision by Cricket Ireland

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (X-Cricbuzz) Cricket Ireland (CI) has confirmed that the upcoming two-match T20I series against India will be played as scheduled at Stormont, Belfast on June 26-28 following an extensive review of the security situation in the city.The confirmation comes after civil unrest was reported in Belfast earlier this month. In response, Cricket Ireland has worked closely with the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) and other relevant authorities to assess any potential risks associated with the matches.“The safety and well-being of everyone involved in the series remains our highest priority. We continue to work closely with the PSNI, venue management and security partners and are satisfied that appropriate measures are in place to ensure the safe and successful launch of both matches,” CI said.According to the current assessment, there is no specific threat to the matches, participating teams, match officials, spectators or the venue. Cricket Ireland also said it had received intelligence to suggest that no protests or demonstrations were expected to disrupt either fixture.“Accordingly, both the Ireland vs India T20 International matches at Stormont on June 26 and 28 will go ahead as scheduled,” CI said.The governing body added that it will remain in constant contact with all relevant agencies in preparation for the series.“We will continue to work closely with all relevant agencies and monitor developments ahead of the matches. Supporters attending the matches are advised to follow Cricket Ireland’s official channels for any event updates and to allow extra travel time where necessary. We look forward to welcoming fans from Ireland, India and around the world to Belfast in what promises to be an unforgettable celebration of international cricket.”While India have regularly played limited-overs cricket in Dublin in recent years, this will mark their return to Belfast after nearly two decades. Their previous visit to Stormont came in 2007 when they appeared in three ODIs against South Africa and one against Ireland.India’s most recent tours of Ireland have all been in Dublin, where they have played and won six T20Is during the visits in 2018, 2022 and 2023.This year’s series will see India play T20 Internationals in Belfast for the first time. Ahead of the tour, much of the focus is on teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who lit up the tri-series final in Dambulla with a stunning 94 to score the fastest fifty in List A cricket. If he features in both matches, it would mark his senior debut for India.The 15-year-old’s rising profile has already made him one of the tour’s biggest attractions, with broadcasters heavily promoting both the Ireland series and India’s subsequent matches in England around the youngster.Stormont has a seating capacity of around 4,200, a modest figure given the strong adherence to Indian orders around the world. The Indian contingent is scheduled to travel to Belfast via London on June 23, with players and support staff arriving from various locations including Mumbai and Chennai.

Which aspect of the T20I series are you most looking forward to?