India meet Ireland in the 2nd T20I at Stormont, Belfast on June 28, 2026 with the series suddenly alive. Ireland lead 1-0 after a 34-run win in the opener, while Shreyas Iyer’s side need a cleaner powerplay, sharper middle-overs control and a stronger chase plan to avoid a rare series defeat.
Ireland have taken a 1-0 lead in the T20I series ©Cricket Ireland-X
The final match of the Ireland vs India T20I series has become more than a routine tour fixture. Ireland’s win in the opening game gave them a 1-0 lead and turned the June 28 match into a series decider for both teams.
For India, the focus is on composure under pressure. Chasing 183 in the first match, India were bowled out for 148. Ireland, meanwhile, have a chance to complete one of their most memorable bilateral results against a major cricket nation.
Ireland’s first-match win changed the mood of the series. Lorcan Tucker’s leadership, Gareth Delany’s late runs and a disciplined bowling effort left India with immediate questions around tempo, shot selection and new-ball plans.
Shreyas Iyer’s captaincy debut in the format began with a defeat, so the second T20I is also a test of how quickly this Indian group can adjust. The selection conversation around Vaibhav Sooryavanshi adds another layer of attention before the toss.
India probable XI: Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wk), Shreyas Iyer (c), Rinku Singh, Shivam Dube, Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Avesh Khan, Harshit Rana, Mukesh Kumar.
Selection watch: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi remains the big talking point. If India want a more aggressive top-order reset, he could come into the conversation, but the final XI should be confirmed after the toss.
Ireland probable XI: Paul Stirling, Ross Adair, Lorcan Tucker (c/wk), Harry Tector, Curtis Campher, Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, Mark Adair, Matthew Humphreys, Jai Moondra, Matthew Hollard.
Selection watch: Ireland are unlikely to move far from the combination that won the first T20I unless conditions force a bowling change.
| Match | Ireland vs India, 2nd T20I |
| Date | Sunday, June 28, 2026 |
| Venue | Stormont, Belfast |
| Series | India tour of Ireland 2026 |
| Series position | Ireland lead 1-0 after winning the first T20I by 34 runs |
| Start time | 1:30 PM Belfast time Your local time is loading... |
Stormont usually rewards bowlers who hit the deck hard and batters who give themselves time before attacking square of the wicket. The first match showed that the surface can be tricky if the chasing side loses rhythm early.
India’s simplest route back is early wickets with the new ball and a more measured chase if Ireland bat first again. Ireland’s best route is to keep India’s top order under scoreboard pressure and protect the middle overs through spin and cutters.
India still have the deeper player pool, but Ireland now own the pressure advantage. The first ten overs of the Indian chase may decide whether this becomes a comeback story or a famous Irish series win.
The second T20I has clear pressure points: India need leadership runs, Ireland need another composed start, and both sides will watch how the younger players handle a louder match-day spotlight.
India will want a calmer start from their senior batters, while Ireland will try to turn every dot-ball spell into visible pressure. If Sooryavanshi plays, his first scoring shots will become one of the most watched moments of the match.
Follow CricPage for the latest Ireland vs India schedule, result updates, rankings context and match notes as the two-match T20I series reaches its finish in Belfast.
Check the Ireland home fixtures close to match day for fixture confirmation.
Ireland’s win in the first match gives the second T20I sharper stakes: India must level the series, while Ireland can complete a landmark result at home.
1. India’s chase template: The first T20I exposed a lack of control while chasing 183. India need clearer roles from overs 7 to 15.
2. Shreyas Iyer’s response: The captain’s decisions and batting tempo will be under immediate attention after the opening defeat.
3. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi watch: The teenager’s possible debut gives the match a human-interest storyline without needing hype beyond the cricket.
4. Ireland’s belief: Lorcan Tucker’s side now know they can pressure India across a full T20 innings.
5. Bowling match-ups: India must handle Ireland’s pace change-ups better, while Ireland need early wickets before India settle.
This match is also useful for readers tracking India’s next T20I layer. If India alter the XI, it may reveal how aggressively they want to rebuild their top order and bowling depth after the World Cup cycle.
Ireland lead the series 1-0 after the Belfast opener. The result means the June 28 match is not just a formality: India can only square the series, while Ireland can seal it.
The main cricket question is simple: India’s reputation versus Ireland’s momentum. India must solve the chase, while Ireland can turn one strong performance into a series win.
The Ireland vs India 2nd T20I is scheduled for Sunday, June 28, 2026 at Stormont in Belfast.
The match is listed for 1:30 PM in Belfast. In India, that is 6:00 PM IST. The match details box also shows the start time in the visitor local timezone.
Ireland lead the two-match T20I series 1-0 after beating India by 34 runs in the first match.
The match is being played at Stormont, Belfast, the same venue used for the opening T20I.
His selection is not confirmed before the toss. He is part of the wider storyline because India may consider a top-order change after losing the first T20I.
Ireland won the first T20I by 34 runs after making India chase 183 and bowling them out for 148.
The Stormont surface can help seamers who use bounce and variation well. Batters usually need a short settling period before attacking freely.
Broadcast and streaming availability can vary by region. Fans should check official rights-holder listings close to match time.
India need to win to avoid losing the two-match series. It is also an immediate test of Shreyas Iyer’s leadership response after the first-match defeat.
AB Ankit is Editor-in-chief of CricPage.