Cricket Ireland Plans India 2026 White-Ball Series Amid Preparation Concerns

Cricket Ireland is in discussions with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) about hosting a white-ball series in 2026, potentially scheduled just before India's England tour in July 2026, which includes five T20Is and three ODIs. India has visited Ireland three times in recent years (2018, 2022, 2023) for short T20I series, drawing strong crowds at Malahide. Ireland's limited home fixtures in 2025 have left the team feeling underprepared for international competition, a concern acknowledged by Cricket Ireland chairman Brian MacNeice, who highlighted the insufficient quantity of matches and the financial challenges of hosting international games. Despite these constraints, Cricket Ireland is actively planning to enhance the international and domestic schedule for 2026 and 2027, with input from players and officials. The ICC's Future Tours Programme schedules visits from New Zealand, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan for Ireland in 2025, including Test and limited-overs matches, signaling a strategic push to develop Irish cricket. Players reportedly understand the challenges and support efforts to improve Ireland's competitiveness on the international stage.