India vs Ireland 1st T20I 2026 predicted lineups with potential Vaibhav Sooryavanshi debut at Belfast originally appeared on Cricket News.
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KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- India face Ireland in the first T20I at Belfast on June 26, 2026.
- Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is set for his senior debut under new captain Shreyas Iyer.
- Predicted lineups for both India and Ireland are explored ahead of the series opener.
India vs Ireland 1st T20I: Possible XIs and Sooryavanshi’s big moment
When India takes on Ireland, the fixture could mark the long-awaited senior debut of teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.
Though India and Ireland haven’t historically produced the most competitive cricket, this series carries weight thanks to two fresh storylines.
First is Sooryavanshi’s entry into the senior setup, and secondly, Shreyas Iyer stepping in as the new T20I captain, taking over from Suryakumar Yadav after his side lifted a record third T20 World Cup title earlier this year.
Much of the buzz around Sooryavanshi’s rise has centred on the idea of him opening alongside Abhishek Sharma, giving India two left-handers capable of taking bowling attacks apart from the very first delivery.
Slotting in at number three is Sanju Samson, who was named Player of the Tournament during India’s World Cup triumph this year. Given how influential he was throughout that campaign, leaving him out feels almost impossible, even with someone like Ishan Kishan also enjoying a fantastic year across formats.
As the direct like-for-like option for Suryakumar’s old spot, Shreyas Iyer is expected to bat at number four, returning to T20I cricket after a three-year gap. Batting just after him will be his deputy, Tilak Varma, who recently led India A to tri-series glory in Sri Lanka.
IndiapredictedXIvsIreland (1st T20I)
- Vaibhav Sooryavanshi
- Abhishek Sharma
- Sanju Samson (WK)
- Shreyas Iyer (C)
- Tilak Varma (VC)
- Shivam Dube
- Suryansh Shedge
- Washington Sundar
- Axar Patel
- Arshdeep Singh
- Harshit Rana
- Ravi Bishnoi
MORE: What is Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s jersey number for India?
IrelandpredictedXIvsIndia (1st T20I)
With Paul Stirling absent, Ross Adair and Stephen Doheny take up the opening duties. Meanwhile, new full-time skipper Lorcan Tucker anchors the innings at three.
Harry Tector remains Ireland’s key middle-order batter, with George Dockrell and Gareth Delany coming next. The bowling unit leans heavily on uncapped talent, with teenage prospect Reuben Wilson tipped for a maiden T20I cap alongside an inexperienced seam group led by Liam McCarthy.
- Ross Adair
- Stephen Doheny
- Lorcan Tucker (C & WK)
- Harry Tector
- George Dockrell
- Gareth Delany
- Tim Tector
- Liam McCarthy
- Gavin Hoey / Matthew Humphreys
- Reuben Wilson
- Jai Moondra / Matthew Hollard
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