Cricket Ireland in talks with BCCI over India touring in 2026

Published - 20 Sept 2025, 11:45 IST | Updated - 20 Sept 2025, 12:13 IST

Cricket Ireland (ci) is currently in talks with the Board of Control for Cricket (BCCI) in India for a potential home white-ball series next summer. India’s men's team have toured Ireland in 2018, 2022 and 2023 previously. Notably, India will travel to England for five 20-over matches and three ODIs in July 2026.

It is understood that representatives from CI have conducted negotiations with BCCI over a tour before the England series next year. The past T20I series have drawn impressive crowds at Malahide on the outskirts of Dublin.

CI's chairperson Brian MacNeice elaborated on discussions in the meeting held with other officials regarding Ireland's cricketing fixtures. MacNeice emphasised on increasing the magnitude of fixtures in both the domestic and international arena.

"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. I'm not hiding from that. We mapped out our views and thoughts on what the schedule for '26 and '27 looks like, and I wanted to get their input not just on the international schedule, but also the domestic schedule," MacNeice was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.

As per the ICC's Future Tours Programme, Ireland will play three series next summer - one Test against New Zealand, three ODIs and as many T20Is against Bangladesh and one Test, three ODIs and three T20Is against Afghanistan.

MacNeice also confirmed that Ireland’s proposed stadium at Abbotstown, on Dublin’s outskirts, remains “very much on track”. He added that he also held constructive discussions with senior ECB representatives this week in relation to the 2030 men's T20 World Cup.

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MacNeice has also taken charge as the chairperson of the European T20 Premier League on Thursday, September 18. Originally scheduled for 2025, the ETPL’s inaugural season has been postponed to 2026 due to difficulties in securing buyers for franchises.