A new era in T20I cricket is set to begin for three-time world champions India, with Shreyas Iyer poised to make his debut as captain during the two-match series against Ireland in Belfast, starting Friday.
In a sign of their ruthless approach, the Indian selection committee, headed by Ajit Agarkar, did not hesitate to remove World Cup-winning captain Suryakumar Yadav from the leadership role. He was also dropped from the T20I squad altogether, with Iyer recalled to the setup following impressive performances in the IPL and elsewhere.
While Iyer will be under the spotlight as he adapts to life as India’s captain, much of the attention will be on a certain 15-year-old who has already made history by becoming the youngest player from his country to earn an international call-up.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has been the cynosure of all eyes. The teenage batting prodigy has produced a string of breathtaking performances that belie his age. Experienced world-class pacers have been treated with disdain, players twice his age have been made to look ordinary, and teams have celebrated his early dismissals with unusual fervour – an indication of the value opponents have already begun attaching to his wicket.
He has already proved himself in the IPL, age-group cricket and other competitions, but his next, and perhaps biggest, challenge awaits: international cricket.
The game remains the same and the processes are similar. The pressure, however, is multiplied. The quality of opposition improves, and the stakes become significantly higher.
Having included him in the squad, will the team management throw him into the deep end immediately? Or is this a tour designed to help him acclimatise to the Indian dressing room environment and get a feel for international cricket?
If Sooryavanshi, an opening batter, is handed a debut, which would make him the youngest player to represent India in international cricket, who makes way?
Sanju Samson was India’s leading run-scorer in their final three matches of the 2026 T20 World Cup, a run that helped him secure the Player of the Tournament award. So, will it be Abhishek Sharma – the world’s No. 1 T20I batter – who is asked to sit out?
It is a difficult decision, but one the team management will have to make if Sooryavanshi is to be blooded during India’s next seven T20Is, which include five matches against England.
There is far less uncertainty around the other batting positions. Ishan Kishan is expected to slot in at No. 3, with skipper Iyer at No. 4. Vice-captain Tilak Varma fits in at No. 5, followed by Shivam Dube and Axar Patel.
Arshdeep Singh and Prasidh Krishna will spearhead the pace attack alongside the fit-again Harshit Rana. Ravi Bishnoi, selected in place of Kuldeep Yadav, is set to feature as the lone specialist spinner, supported by either left-arm spinner Axar Patel or off-spinner Washington Sundar.
India’s Predicted XI for the 1st T20I vs Ireland: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer, Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel/Washington Sundar, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Ravi Bishnoi, Prasidh Krishna.
India’s Injury Setbacks
The original squad named for the Ireland and England T20Is looks a little different than what has landed in Belfast. Spinner Varun Chakaravarthy was initially named in the squad but recently ruled out as he’s yet to recover from a foot injury suffered during IPL 2026.
Fast bowler Prince Yadav has been named as his replacement.
Allrounder Nitish Reddy, who recently was anointed as the natural successor to Hardik Pandya by India assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate, has suffered yet another fitness issue. He’s dealing with a quadriceps injury following which uncapped Suryansh Shedge has replaced him for the T20Is.
