Ireland announce new leadership and 14-member squad ahead of two-match T20I series against India in Belfast
The Ireland cricket team has announced a fresh leadership direction by appointing Lorcan Tucker as the full-time captain of the T20 International side.
The decision comes as the team prepares for a two-match T20I series against the India cricket team in Belfast later this week, marking the beginning of their long-term build-up toward the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2028.
Cricket Ireland also confirmed a 14-member squad for the upcoming series, which features a mix of experienced players and emerging talent.
Tucker, who previously served as stand-in captain during the T20 World Cup earlier this year, now takes full control of the side as Ireland enter a new competitive cycle.
The squad includes Ross Adair, Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, Harry Tector, Tim Tector, Stephen Doheny, Matthew Humphreys, Gavin Hoey, Liam McCarthy, and several young prospects such as Matthew Hollard, Jai Moondra, and Reuben Wilson. Wilson, who recently made his Test debut against New Zealand, is among those in line to make their T20I debut.
Ireland will, however, miss several senior players due to injuries. Key names including Josh Little, Mark Adair, Paul Stirling, Curtis Campher, Barry McCarthy, and Jordan Neill have all been ruled out, creating opportunities for younger players to step up at international level.
Tucker, who has represented Ireland in over 150 matches across formats, is expected to focus on building depth within the squad while maintaining competitiveness against top-tier opposition.
He reportedly views the India series as a valuable challenge to test Ireland’s progress, acknowledging the visitors as one of the strongest T20 sides in world cricket.
He has also emphasized long-term development, indicating that one of his main objectives will be to integrate young cricketers into the national setup and prepare a strong core for the 2028 T20 World Cup.
Ireland aim to use this transition phase to strengthen their bench and build a more resilient squad for future international competitions.
