Hyderabad : Team India will begin their two-match T20 International series against Ireland on Friday at the Civil Service Cricket Club in Belfast, aiming for a winning start ahead of the much-anticipated five-match T20I series against England. However, weather is expected to play a crucial role, with light rain and overcast conditions forecast throughout the day.
All eyes will be on teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who is likely to make his international debut in the opening T20I. If he gets the opportunity, the 16-year-old will become the youngest player to debut for India in international cricket, surpassing Sachin Tendulkar’s long-standing record of making his debut at the age of 16 years and 205 days against Pakistan in 1989.
The weather forecast for Belfast predicts cloudy skies with intermittent light showers during the scheduled match hours. Rain probability is expected to range between 30 and 43 percent, while temperatures are likely to hover around 22 to 23 degrees Celsius. Although heavy rainfall is not anticipated, passing showers could interrupt play and result in a shortened contest if conditions worsen.
India hold a commanding record against Ireland in the shortest format. The two teams have met eight times in T20 Internationals, with India emerging victorious on every occasion. Their most recent encounter came during the 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, where India comfortably maintained their unbeaten record against the Irish side.
The first T20I will be played on Friday, June 26, at the Civil Service Cricket Club in Belfast. The match is scheduled to begin at 6:00 PM IST, with the toss taking place at 5:30 PM IST.
Cricket fans in India can watch the live telecast on the Sony Sports Network, while live streaming of the match will be available on the Sony LIV app and website.
Despite the possibility of rain interruptions, both teams will be eager to take the field, with India looking to continue their dominance over Ireland and build momentum before the challenging England tour.
