India begin a new era in T20I cricket as they take on Ireland in the opening match of the two-game series at the Civil Service Cricket Club in Belfast on Friday. The spotlight will be firmly on new captain Shreyas Iyer, who takes charge of the side following India’s successful T20 World Cup campaign. The series also offers an opportunity for several young players to impress, with eyes on teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who is not guaranteed to make his debut. India enter the contest as overwhelming favourites, having won all eight previous T20Is against Ireland. However, the visitors will need to adapt quickly to Belfast’s seam-friendly conditions, where overcast skies and a green surface are expected to assist the fast bowlers.
