Vaibhav Sooryavanshi To Open With? India's Predicted Playing XI For 1st T20I Vs Ireland 2026

Sooryavanshi could make his debut vs Ireland [Source: AFP]

The stage is set, and the fans are ready as India takes on the home team, Ireland, in a two-match T20I series, starting from Friday, June 26. The Men in Blue will enter the series high on confidence after winning the T20 World Cup earlier this year, and will start as the heavy favourites.

India has picked a strong squad for the Ireland T20Is, with the 15-year-old star, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, also included amongst the veterans. Shreyas Iyer has been appointed as the new T20I captain as he replaces Suryakumar Yadav, who helped the team win the World Cup.

The first T20I will provide India a great chance to experiment with their lineups, and potentially, a new debutant could also be on the cards. Ahead of the IND Vs IRE 1st T20I, we take a look at India’s predicted playing XI.

India playing XI Vs Ireland, 1st T20I 2026

Openers and top order: Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Ishan Kishan

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has been the best T20 batter in the world, and the Ireland T20Is provide India a great chance to give him his debut cap. However, if he plays, one of Abhishek Sharma or Sanju Samson has to be dropped.

The idea of playing Abhishek and Sooryavanshi together will tempt India to drop Sanju Samson from the playing XI. Even though Samson was the Player of the Tournament in the T20 World Cup, Abhishek and Sooryanshi offer so much more.

Even if Samson doesn’t play, Ishan Kishan, who is slated to bat at number 3 will don the keeper’s role. The southpaw witnessed a tremendous turnaround in the T20 World Cup, and he’ll be eager to continue the same form against Ireland.

Middle order and all-rounders: Shreyas Iyer(c), Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel

Shreyas Iyer will replace the outgoing Suryakumar Yadav at number 4. Iyer has been one of the most consistent IPL batters in the last two seasons, and he’ll be hopeful of repaying the faith shown in him by the BCCI.

Tilak Varma, who was demoted down the order in the T20 World Cup for tactical reasons, will play at 5. He’ll be assigned the role of a finisher, something which he fulfilled during the World Cup.

Also Read: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Gets Special Treatment In Ireland After Separate Changing Room

Shivam Dube will most likely bat at 6, as the hard-hitting player will be responsible for finishing off the innings for the Indian side. Alongside him, India has two choices: either go with Axar Patel or play Washington Sundar.

However, Axar offers more with the ball, and he’ll be the second spinner in the playing XI, and hence, he’ll most likely get the preference.

Bowlers: Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, Prasidh Krishna

With Varun Chakravarthy injured, Ravi Bishnoi will get the opportunity to play as the front-line Indian spinner. The leg-break bowler had a fantastic IPL 2026, and he can be a dangerous prospect for the Irish batters.

The returning Harshit Rana will surely get a place in the first XI, and alongside him, Arshdeep Singh is also likely to play in the first T20I against Ireland. However, there could be a tough choice for the third seamer between Prince Yadav and Prasidh Krishna.

Both seamers did well in the IPL, but Krishna has been the consistent one out of two, and India might start with him in the first T20I, and if the result goes in their favour, Prince could be picked for the second T20I.

India's predicted XI for 1st T20I Vs Ireland

Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer(c), Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, Prasidh Krishna

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