Sanju Samson In, 15-Year-Old Out? Vaibhav Suryavanshi Misses Out as India’s ‘Likely XI’ vs Ireland Sparks Big Debate!

The excitement around Indian cricket is back as the Men in Blue prepare to play their first T20 International since lifting the T20 World Cup 2026 trophy. India will face Ireland on Friday (June 26) at the Civil Service Cricket Club in Belfast, marking a new chapter under fresh leadership.

All eyes will be on Shreyas Iyer, who is set to captain India for the first time in T20Is after replacing Suryakumar Yadav as the full-time leader in the shortest format. His return to the top job also marks a comeback phase in his international career after a long gap since December 2023.

However, what is grabbing even more attention than the captaincy change is the expected playing XI, which has sparked debate among fans — especially regarding young sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi.

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The 15-year-old prodigy, who has been making headlines for his record-breaking rise, was expected by many to make his international debut. If he had played, he would have become the youngest Indian cricketer ever, breaking a long-standing record associated with Sachin Tendulkar.

But reports suggest that India is unlikely to hand him a debut in the first match. Instead, the team is expected to stick with its first-choice core, especially the batting lineup that powered India to the T20 World Cup 2026 victory.

At the top, Abhishek Sharma is likely to retain his opening spot, alongside Sanju Samson, whose consistency has made him a crucial part of the T20 setup. At number three, Ishan Kishan is expected to continue in a flexible role.

Skipper Shreyas Iyer is projected to bat at number four — the position previously occupied by Suryakumar Yadav — marking a symbolic transition in leadership and batting responsibility.

Further down the order, Tilak Varma is likely to slot in at number five, followed by a strong all-round unit featuring Nitish Kumar Reddy, Shivam Dube, and Axar Patel, giving India depth in both batting and bowling departments.

While fans are eager to see fresh talent like Vaibhav break into the senior team, the management appears to be prioritizing stability and experience for the opening match of the series.

As anticipation builds in Belfast, one question continues to dominate discussions — will India stick to experience, or will the future arrive sooner than expected?