Ireland's aspirations for direct qualification to the 2027 ICC Men's ODI World Cup have been extinguished after the opening ODI against Afghanistan was abandoned due to persistent rain, mathematically ruling them out of contention for an automatic spot.
Afghanistan defeated Ireland by three wickets in the third ODI, securing direct qualification for the 2027 ODI World Cup.
Rashid Khan's exceptional bowling performance, taking 6 wickets for 34 runs, was instrumental in Afghanistan's 92-run victory over Ireland in the second ODI, giving them a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.
Indian golfer Saanvi Somu finished tied 26th at the Women's Irish Challenge after a challenging final round, while Ireland's Beth Coulter secured a historic win on her professional debut in a sudden-death playoff.
India captain Shreyas Iyer praised Ireland for their exceptional performance and strategic execution in securing a historic 2-0 T20I series victory. Ireland defeated India by 34 runs in the first match and then by a solitary run in the second, showcasing their understanding of local conditions and strong teamwork. Irish skipper Lorcan Tucker expressed disbelief and pride in his team's character, while player of the series Moondra highlighted the importance of sticking to basics.
Ireland produced one of the biggest wins in their T20I history, edging India by just one run in a thrilling second T20I in Belfast to complete a historic 2-0 series sweep.
The Indian cricket team suffered a surprising 2-0 series whitewash against Ireland in a two-match T20 series in Belfast.
Ambati Rayudu says India's 0-2 T20I series loss to Ireland was the result of poor preparation for challenging conditions, urges Tilak Varma to improve against slow bowling, and advises patience with teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.
Rajasthan-born cricketer Jai Moondra, who recently starred in Ireland's T20 series win against India, has been drafted by Rotterdam Dockers in the inaugural European T20 Player League (ETPL) Draft. The draft saw six franchises select 36 players from Ireland, Scotland, and the Netherlands, with Moondra being a key acquisition for the Dockers.
Following a stunning T20I series triumph against World champions India, Ireland coach Heinrich Malan has stepped down from his role.
Jai Moondra, a left-arm medium pacer from Rajasthan, made a dream international debut for Ireland, taking a wicket with his first ball against India. His journey is remarkable, having left a secure corporate job at Intel after pursuing an MTech in Dublin to chase his cricketing dream, culminating in a historic victory for Ireland.
Former India wicketkeeper Syed Kirmani reckons selectors missed an opportunity by leaving teenage batting prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi out of the Ireland T20Is, and says he should now be backed for the white-ball series against England, starting on Wednesday (July 1).
Josh Little, Mark Adair, Paul Stirling, Curtis Campher, Barry McCarthy and Jordan Neill have been ruled out of the two-match T20 series against India with injuries.
Dublin-born defender Roberto Lopes, who represented Cape Verde in a recent tournament, received a hero's welcome upon his return to Dublin. Cape Verde, making their debut, impressed by reaching the knockout stage and narrowly losing to reigning champions Argentina, captivating fans globally. Lopes expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support from Ireland.
Ireland scripted history by registering their first-ever win over India, handing the visitors a 34-run defeat in the first T20I in Belfast on Friday. This is Ireland's first victory over India in any format.
India handed T20I debuts to Suryansh Shedge and Prince Yadav in the second T20I against Ireland, while Vaibhav Sooryavanshi continued to wait for his senior debut as Shreyas Iyer opted to bowl first in Belfast.
India's star-studded top order will be under pressure to make amends when they take on a buoyant Ireland in the second and final T20I in Belfast on Sunday.
India skipper Shreyas Iyer said his bowlers had the Irish batters on tenterhooks early on but rued the lack of execution in the middle overs after the visitors suffered a shock 34-run defeat in the opening T20I in Belfast on Friday.
The BCCI will conduct a review meeting after India's T20 series against England concludes on July 19, following poor performances against both England and Ireland, but has stated it will not make any 'knee-jerk' decisions regarding head coach Gautam Gambhir's future.
Mohammed Siraj has been rested from India's T20I squads for the upcoming tours against Ireland and England as a precautionary measure for workload management. Prasidh Krishna has been named as his replacement. The BCCI stated this decision ensures Siraj's recovery ahead of a long international season, following his recent participation in IPL 2026 and a Test match.
He will get his opportunity when the time comes, captain Shreyas Iyer said at the toss.
Vaobhav Sooryavanshi, 15, stands a chance to become India's youngest international cricketer, potentially breaking Sachin Tendulkar's record.
Veteran England opener Jason Roy has signed with Glasgow Cosmic for the inaugural European T20 Premier League, bringing his aggressive batting and extensive experience to the new franchise.
India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak discussed the potential debut of 15-year-old sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi ahead of the T20 series opener against Ireland. While acknowledging Sooryavanshi's talent, Kotak emphasised that a player scoring runs should not be benched to accommodate a new talent, highlighting the challenge of team selection with abundant talent in Indian cricket. He also touched upon captain Shreyas Iyer's leadership and the BCCI's system for nurturing young players.
A 15-year-old schoolboy needs to be eased into a senior team set-up, said BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia as he explained the decision to allow Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's parents to accompany him on the white-ball tour of Ireland and England.
Afghanistan has secured automatic qualification for the 2027 Cricket World Cup after defeating Ireland, while the West Indies, ranked 10th, will once again have to navigate qualifiers for the third consecutive edition of the tournament.
Former India chief selector M S K Prasad has called Vaibhav Sooryavanshi a 'super talent' and believes he should be immediately considered for the Ireland series.
Former India captain Ajinkya Rahane has joined Amsterdam Flames as a marquee player in the inaugural European T20 Premier League, aiming to make a global impact and share his experience with other players.
Six Arab football federations, including 2030 World Cup co-host Morocco and Qatar, have publicly declared their "full support" and "confidence" in FIFA President Gianni Infantino. This backing comes as Infantino faces significant backlash and withdrawals of support from European and Oceania federations over his failed $20 billion private investment plan for the World Cup, highlighting a growing schism within global football governance.
India T20 vice-captain Tilak Varma stated that his batting approach is dictated by conditions and match situations, especially after the team's struggles with early wickets in the UK and Ireland. He emphasised the responsibility of playing for the country and adapting to overseas conditions after extensive play in Asia.
Indian batter Tilak Varma has defended his batting approach during the recent tours of Ireland and England, stating that his strike rate was dictated by match situations and team requirements rather than personal preference. He emphasised his commitment to adapting his game, whether it means aggressive hitting or anchoring the innings, based on the team's needs, especially when wickets were falling frequently.
Rahmat Shah has been appointed as the new Test and ODI captain for the Afghanistan national cricket team, replacing Hashmatullah Shahidi. Shah, who previously served as vice-captain, will lead the team alongside Rahmanullah Gurbaz as vice-captain, starting with the upcoming series against Ireland. Shahidi's tenure saw significant victories and milestones for Afghan cricket, including strong performances in the 2023 World Cup.
Indian boxer Preeti Pawar, an Asian Games bronze medallist, has secured India's second boxing medal at the Commonwealth Games by defeating Nicole Clyde of Northern Ireland in the women's 54kg quarterfinal. Her dominant unanimous-decision victory guarantees her at least a bronze medal, marking her first CWG medal.
Indian boxer Sakshi Chaudhary secured at least a bronze medal at the Commonwealth Games by defeating Northern Ireland's Caitlin Fryers in the women's 51kg semifinals. Her dominant performance, utilising her height and reach, made her the fourth Indian boxer to assure a podium finish at the Games.
Zimbabwe T20 captain Sikandar Raza believes the upcoming three-match T20I series against India will be a closely contested affair, with both teams having an equal chance of victory.
Indian boxer Preeti Pawar, an Asian Games bronze medallist, secured India's first boxing medal at the Commonwealth Games by defeating Northern Ireland's Nicole Clyde in the women's 54kg quarterfinal. Her dominant 5-0 unanimous decision victory guarantees her at least a bronze medal.
India captain Shreyas Iyer has urged his team to play fearless cricket in the upcoming T20 series against Zimbabwe, despite a recent winless tour of England. He emphasised learning from past setbacks, adapting to new conditions, and focusing on team unity to overcome challenges.
Indian boxers Sakshi Chaudhary (51kg) and Arundhati Choudhary secured their spots in the semifinals of the Commonwealth Games, guaranteeing at least a bronze medal each. Sakshi dominated her bout with a 5-0 victory, while Arundhati fought hard for a 3-1 win.
15-year-old IPL sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi could become the nation's youngest international player with a potential call-up for the Ireland tour.
Following India's dominant T20I victory over Zimbabwe, social media erupted with fan discussions, with many attributing the team's relaxed performance to Gautam Gambhir's absence and V V S Laxman's oversight, while others cautioned against overreacting to a single match.
