Cricket Ireland in Talks with BCCI for Potential India Tour in 2026

Cricket Ireland in Talks with BCCI for Potential India Tour in 2026

Cricket Ireland (CI) is in discussions with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) over a potential white-ball series in Ireland next summer, ahead of India’s scheduled tour of England in July 2026.

India are set to play five T20Is and three ODIs in England from July 1 to 19, and CI is hoping to host the Indian team for a short limited-overs series before that. India have previously toured Ireland three times since 2018 for brief T20I series, drawing large crowds to Malahide in Dublin.

The development comes amid growing concern within the Irish cricket community over the lack of home fixtures. Ireland captain Paul Stirling recently expressed disappointment at the sparse 2025 summer schedule, calling his team “underprepared” for their ongoing T20I series against England.

Following a rain-affected second T20I in Malahide, CI chair Brian MacNeice met with players and staff to address their frustrations.

"I opened the meeting by saying, as far as I'm concerned, the quantum of cricket that we're playing in '25 isn't good enough to prepare you guys to play international cricket and to be competitive at ICC tournaments," MacNeice said. "I'm not hiding from that."

He described the meeting as “a really positive session” and emphasized CI's intention to include player input while mapping out the 2026 and 2027 calendars, including both international and domestic fixtures.

Ireland’s third T20I against England on Sunday will be their ninth and final men’s home international of the 2025 season, with four of the first eight washed out due to rain. The limited schedule is largely due to the financial strain of converting club grounds into international venues and limited returns from broadcast rights.

"The players understand the challenges we're facing and why the summer looked the way it did, but they are also aligned with what we’re trying to achieve," MacNeice added.

Looking ahead, the ICC Future Tours Programme indicates that Ireland will host New Zealand (one Test), Bangladesh (three ODIs and three T20Is), and Afghanistan (one Test, three ODIs, and three T20Is) in 2026. MacNeice confirmed that Test cricket will return to Irish soil next year, though some logistical details are still being finalized.

He also provided updates on other key developments:

  • National Stadium: Ireland’s new stadium at Abbotstown remains "very much on track."

  • 2030 T20 World Cup: Productive discussions have taken place with ECB officials as Ireland prepares to co-host the tournament alongside England and Scotland.

  • World Test Championship: MacNeice voiced strong support for a proposed two-division structure that would include Ireland.

  • Leadership Changes: The process to appoint a new chief executive, replacing Warren Deutrom, is progressing well, with a recommendation expected by late October.

Additionally, MacNeice has been appointed chair of the board for the upcoming European T20 Premier League (ETPL), which has been postponed to 2026 due to challenges in securing franchise buyers. Deutrom has taken on the role of the league’s director.

As CI seeks to expand Ireland’s presence on the international stage, the potential India tour could provide a crucial commercial and competitive boost.