Ireland have named Lorcan Tucker as their new T20I captain ahead of a two-match home series against defending world champions India, starting June 26 at Stormont, Belfast. The appointment comes at a difficult time for Irish cricket, with the side missing five frontline seamers through injury ahead of what Tucker himself calls the toughest challenge his team can face.
Tucker Takes Over as Ireland’s T20I Leadership Enters New Cycle
Paul Stirling stepped down from the T20I captaincy following Ireland’s group-stage exit at the T20 World Cup earlier this year. A calf tear has also ruled him out of the India series entirely, making way for Tucker to take formal charge of a role he had already filled temporarily during the tournament when Stirling was injured.
Tucker, who serves as Ireland’s wicketkeeper-batter, described the appointment as a great privilege. He said his primary goal heading into this new cycle is to help younger players develop within the squad and give them the platform to make the team their own.
“I’d love to be at that 2028 T20 World Cup knowing I’d given those lads the chance to make this job and this team their own,” Tucker said.
With the appointment confirmed, Ireland now have different captains across all three international formats — Andy Balbirnie leads the Test side, Stirling remains in charge of the ODI team, and Tucker heads the T20I setup.
Five Seamers Ruled Out as Ireland Name Three Uncapped Players
The injury list ahead of the India series is substantial. Ireland are without Josh Little (stress fracture), Mark Adair (abdominal), Curtis Campher (hand fracture), Barry McCarthy (ACL), and Jordan Neill (shoulder and foot). Craig Young, an experienced seamer, has also been left out of the squad.
National selector Andrew White acknowledged the scale of the problem but framed the absences as an opportunity for emerging players. Three uncapped cricketers have been included in the 14-man squad.
Reuben Wilson, who made his Test debut against New Zealand last month, could earn his first limited-overs cap. Fast bowlers Jai Moondra and Matt Hollard are in line for their first Ireland appearances in any format. Liam McCarthy, who had an expensive T20I debut last year, could return for only his second cap. Legspinning allrounder Gavin Hoey is also in contention for his T20I debut, having been preferred over Ben White.
Top-order batter Stephen Doheny has been picked ahead of Sam Topping to round out the changes from the World Cup squad.
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Ireland Face India in Two Sold-Out Belfast T20Is
Both fixtures will be played at Stormont, Belfast, with the first T20I scheduled for June 26 and the second on June 28. The matches are sold out, and the series carries added significance as it marks Shreyas Iyer’s first assignment as India’s T20I captain. Teenage prospect Vaibhav Sooryavanshi could also make his international debut in the series.
Tucker acknowledged the size of the task but said Ireland intend to be competitive. He pointed out that India’s players arrive fresh from the IPL with individual ambitions on the international stage — and said Ireland would look to disrupt those plans.
“I hope that we can spoil a few of those parties they might have planned and show that we are also here to make an impact,” Tucker said.
Despite the injury-depleted squad, Ireland will see the series as a chance for their younger players to step up early in a new T20 cycle — with the 2028 T20 World Cup firmly in view.
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