By Sandipan Banerjee
India’s men’s cricket team is set to return to Northern Ireland for the first time in nearly two decades, with a two-match T20I series scheduled for the final week of June 2026. The fixtures, expected to be held at the Civil Service Cricket Club Ground in Stormont, Belfast, will serve as a preparatory leg ahead of India’s white-ball tour of England.
While the exact dates are yet to be confirmed by Cricket Ireland, the series marks a significant moment for cricket in the region. It will be the first time since 2007 that a senior Indian men’s side will play an international series in Belfast. Previously, India featured in a three-match ODI series involving South Africa, making this tour a notable return after a 19-year gap.
It is also noteworthy that Cricket Ireland has opted not to host the matches at its primary venue, Malahide Cricket Ground, on the outskirts of Dublin. Instead, Stormont is set to stage the fixtures, underlining a broader push to take high-profile cricket beyond traditional centres and into Northern Ireland.
The matches are expected to generate considerable local interest, given India’s global stature in the shortest format. The team arrives as the reigning T20I world champions, adding further context and competitive edge to the series. Beyond the on-field aspect, the tour is also expected to provide a much-needed financial boost to Cricket Ireland through broadcast deals and sponsorship revenue.
The T20I series will also act as a crucial lead-in to India’s white-ball assignment in England. The England tour comprises five T20Is and three ODIs, with the opening T20I scheduled in Durham on July 1. The Ireland leg offers India an opportunity to acclimatise to conditions ahead of that series.
Further details, including confirmed match dates, are expected to be announced in due course.
(Sandipan Banerjee is a senior cricket journalist with over a decade of experience, specialising in international and associate cricket. Known for sharp analysis and on-ground reporting across major tournaments, he can be reached on X at @im_sandipan …)
