This visit revives a familiar path for India, who have toured Ireland thrice since 2018. Belfast hasn’t hosted India since 2007, making it a historic return. Irish fans, known for their passion, eagerly anticipate the Indian stars’ arrival.

Over the years, BCCI has dispatched young guns to Ireland, honing talents away from the spotlight. Will we see Suryakumar Yadav’s championship-winning squad, or another emerging lineup? That’s the question on everyone’s lips.

India’s T20 record against Ireland is impeccable—8 wins from 8. Ireland, however, is building momentum with a busy schedule: a T20 tri-nation with Pakistan and West Indies pre-series, and then five ODIs in Afghanistan.

The Afghanistan series raises eyebrows given Ireland’s vocal stance on women’s rights violations there. CEO Sarah Keane addressed the controversy: ‘Our choice reflects organizational priorities, not money or mandates.’

As the countdown to 2026 begins, this tour promises thrilling cricket, strategic squad selections, and perhaps some surprises on the Emerald Isle.

Certified at ECB Levels 3, 2, and 1, Mooney takes over from Gnaneshwar Rao and Anton Roux, who exited post-IPL 2025. He joins a star-studded coaching panel including head coach Hemang Badani, bowling coach Munaf Patel, assistant coach Ian Bell, and director Venugopal Rao.

Mooney’s coaching resume is impressive. He guided Afghanistan’s fielding during their historic Test debut versus India in 2018-19, collaborated with West Indies men in 2019, and currently leads Ireland women on an interim basis since January.

During his international stint from 2006-2015, the left-hand bat and right-arm seamer featured in 64 ODIs, amassing 963 runs including three fifties across 55 innings (14 not outs), and 27 T20Is with 231 runs. His bowling haul stands at 48 ODI wickets and 10 in T20Is. Mooney played in three ODI World Cups and two T20 World Cups for Ireland.

The team recently lost mentor Kevin Pietersen, but optimism remains high under Axar Patel’s leadership. DC’s season opener is set for April 1 at Lucknow’s Ekana Stadium against LSG. Finishing fifth last year with seven victories from 14 games, they eye a stronger showing with this new fielding expertise.

Mooney’s tactical acumen in the fielding department could be the game-changer Delhi Capitals need to finally lift the IPL trophy.

Sharma’s 92 off Australia in 2024 now slips to third, behind Chris Gayle’s benchmark 98 for West Indies against India back in 2010. Gayle doubles up at fourth with 88 against Australia in 2009, and Kane Williamson’s 85 for New Zealand versus Australia in Dubai 2021 completes the top five. Tucker’s feat marks a new pinnacle for Irish cricket in the T20 World Cup.

Notably, this 94-run gem is the best-ever by an Ireland batter in the competition, topping Camfer’s 72 not out from 2022 against Scotland. It also propelled Ireland to their record team score in T20 World Cups, second only to Sri Lanka’s legendary 260 against Kenya in 2007. The closing overs were pure carnage: 93 runs in the last five, ranking third all-time behind Zimbabwe’s 116 (vs Gambia, 2024) and India’s 103 (vs Afghanistan, 2024).

As Ireland eyes deeper runs in the tournament, Tucker’s innings serves as a testament to calculated aggression and leadership under pressure, redefining expectations for the Associates in white-ball cricket.

From 2007 onwards, India has played 52 games, winning 35, losing 15, with one tie and one washout. That translates to a league-leading 70.58% win rate, ahead of South Africa’s 66.66% and Australia’s 63.82%.

The list of unbeaten opponents reads like a roster of rising challengers: Afghanistan (4-0), Bangladesh (5-0), Ireland (2-0), and one-win apiece over Namibia, Netherlands, USA, and Zimbabwe. These victories often came in high-stakes group stages, proving India’s depth against associate nations.

Pakistan remains a formidable adversary, but India leads 7-1 in eight meetings. South Africa has been tamed five times in seven tries. Yet, New Zealand (3-0 against) and Sri Lanka (2-0 against) represent the biggest hurdles, exposing areas where India must evolve.

With the World Cup opener looming, captain and coach will draw motivation from this perfect record. It not only bolsters morale but also sets a benchmark for aspiring cricketers worldwide, cementing India’s status as T20 pioneers.

Jacob Bethell, at the age of 21, became England’s youngest T20 captain, stepping in for Harry Brook. Bethell contributed a quick 24, which included a powerful six over midwicket before being dismissed. Ireland, forced to bat first on a green pitch, managed a respectable 196, largely due to a 123-run partnership between Lorcan Tucker and Harry Tector. Paul Stirling provided early momentum with several boundaries, but the fireworks came from the middle-order pair, both scoring half-centuries and capitalizing on England’s death bowling.

Ireland missed the services of injured bowlers Mark Adair and Josh Little, whose absence was keenly felt. Salt and Jos Buttler quickly brought the score to 74 in five overs, initially threatening to surpass their Manchester record-breaking Powerplay score. Buttler played a quick cameo, while Salt, after reaching his fifty in 20 balls, stabilized the innings before eventually falling. England experienced a brief wobble, losing three wickets in rapid succession, but Jamie Overton finished the job with a clean strike over mid-on. For Ireland, this was their second-highest T20I score at Malahide, however, the margin of defeat highlighted their lack of bowling strength. Stirling conceded the team was underprepared after a low-key summer, and England’s unhindered chase illustrated the gap between the two teams on the day.

The series of three T20 matches began on Wednesday, September 17, in Dublin, Ireland. With Harry Brook rested for the series, young all-rounder Jacob Bethell took the captaincy, becoming England’s youngest international captain at the age of 21 years and 329 days. Bethell’s captaincy debut was marked with a resounding victory.

Ireland batted first in the match, posting a strong score of 196 runs for the loss of 3 wickets. Young batsman Harry Tector played a brilliant innings for Ireland. Batting at number three, he scored 61 runs off just 36 balls, including 6 fours and 2 sixes. Besides him, Lorcan Tucker also quickly scored 55 runs. Captain Paul Stirling provided a quick start with a knock of 34 runs.

When it was England’s turn to bat, the focus was once again on the partnership of Phil Salt and Jos Buttler. They had smashed 100 runs in the powerplay against South Africa. This time too, they did not disappoint, scoring 74 runs in just 4.4 overs of partnership. Buttler was dismissed after scoring 28 runs off just 10 balls, but Salt’s onslaught continued.

Salt reached his half-century in just 20 balls and England’s score exceeded 130 runs within 10 overs. England did lose some wickets here, but Salt ensured England’s victory with a blistering innings of 89 runs off just 46 balls. The English opener hit 10 fours and 4 sixes in his innings. England won the match by 4 wickets in just 17.4 overs. This was Salt’s second consecutive explosive innings. Earlier, he had scored 141 runs off just 60 balls against South Africa.