India vs Ireland Live Score, 1st T20I: Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma or Vaibhav Sooryavanshi; Who will open India? – The Tech Word News

India vs Ireland Live Score: India begin a new chapter of T20I cricket under captain Shreyas Iyer when they face an injury-hit Ireland in the first match of the two-match series at the Civil Service Cricket Ground in Stormont on Friday.

While the reigning T20 World Cup champions start as overwhelming favourites, much of the focus will be on teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who is on the verge of making his international debut.

Will Sooryavanshi debut?

After a sensational IPL 2026 campaign with Rajasthan Royals, the 15-year-old has been one of the biggest talking points in world cricket. He followed that up with an incredible 94 off just 29 balls for India A in the tri-series final against Sri Lanka A in Dambulla.

On debut against Ireland, Sooryavanshi would become India’s youngest international cricketer. However, putting him in the playing eleven is not easy.

India already has the top order sorted out. Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson formed a successful opening pair during the T20 World Cup while Ishan Kishan impressed at No.3. The management of the team will have to decide whether to rearrange the winning combination to suit the teenage prodigy.

A new era under Shreyas Iyer

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

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

The selection calls in the bowling attack

India also have to decide with the ball.

The management has to decide whether to bring Harshita Rana straight back into the XI after he returns to fitness, or continue with recent performers Prince Yadav and Prasidh Krishna alongside spearhead Arshdeep Singh.

Ireland are struggling with injuries

Ireland go into the series with several key players unavailable.

The home side will be 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 earning their first call-ups.

India’s dominant record

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

India are also enjoying an excellent run in the format, having won 12 out of 14 T20Is this year. They will also play an international match at Stormont for the first time since 2007.

Match details

Match: India vs Ireland 1st T20I

Date: Friday, June 26

Time: 18:00 IST

Venue: Civil Service Cricket Ground, Stormont, Belfast

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

Live streaming: SonyLiv website and app