Cricket Ireland (CI) has announced a change in the start timings for the upcoming India vs Ireland T20I series in Belfast following discussions with Sony Sports, the broadcast rights holder for the series in India. The decision was taken to minimise a scheduling clash with a high-profile Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 fixture involving India.
Originally, both T20Is were scheduled to begin at 1:30 PM local time, which corresponds to 7 PM IST. However, Cricket Ireland has now decided to bring the start time forward by one hour. As a result, both matches will commence at 6 PM IST.
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While the opening T20I on June 26 does not overlap with any major Indian cricket event, the second match on June 28 coincides with India Women’s clash against Australia Women in the T20 World Cup at Lord’s. The blockbuster contest is set to begin at 7 PM IST and is expected to attract a massive television and streaming audience.
To ensure viewers can follow both matches more comfortably, Cricket Ireland and Sony Sports agreed to adjust the schedule. Although there will still be some overlap between the two games, the earlier start is expected to reduce the impact on broadcasters and fans.
India vs Ireland T20I series schedule
| Match | Date | Venue | Updated Time (IST) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st T20I | June 26 | Belfast, Northern Ireland | 6 PM |
| 2nd T20I | June 28 | Belfast, Northern Ireland | 6 PM |
The move mirrors a recent decision by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), which also advanced the start times of certain matches involving India. With Indian audiences forming a significant part of the viewership base, cricket boards have increasingly shown flexibility in scheduling to accommodate broadcasters and maximise engagement. The revised timings are expected to benefit both Sony Sports and JioHotstar, which holds the Indian broadcast rights for the Women’s T20 World Cup.
