Cricket Ireland are hoping to get the Indian team to play a series of white ball games as they head to England. India are due to play 5 T20Is and 3 ODIs in England from July 1 to 19 next year.
ESPNcricinfo reported that Cricket Ireland and the Board of Control for Cricket in India have discussed a possible visit from the Indian team before their England tour. India have played short T20I series in Ireland in 2018, 2022 and 2023. Those games were popular and drew big crowds to Malahide near Dublin.
Ireland captain Paul Stirling recently said he was disappointed with the lack of home international cricket this summer. He felt his team were under prepared for their current 3 match T20I series against England.
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After the second T20I against England was washed out, Brian MacNeice, chair of Cricket Ireland, met with the players and staff to discuss their concerns.
MacNeice said he told the team that the amount of cricket they are scheduled to play in 2025 is not enough to get them ready for international matches and ICC tournaments. He was being honest about the situation.
MacNeice also said they discussed the 2026 and 2027 schedule with the players and got their opinions on both the international and domestic schedules. He described the session as positive but admitted more work needs to be done.
The third and final T20I against England will be Ireland’s 9th and final men’s international game of the summer. 4 of their 8 home games were washed out.
MacNeice said the players understand the challenges they are facing and why the schedule is the way it is. He believes they are committed to what they are trying to achieve.
Next summer Ireland will host New Zealand for a Test match, Bangladesh for 3 ODIs and 3 T20Is and Afghanistan for a Test match, 3 ODIs and 3 T20Is as part of the ICC’s Future Tours Programme.
MacNeice confirmed Ireland will be hosting Test cricket next year but there are still some details to be finalised before the schedule can be confirmed.
