Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s India debut has been given the go-ahead following a major decision from Cricket Ireland. cricket news

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (X-Cricbuzz)

Following an extensive review of the security situation in Belfast, Cricket Ireland (CI) has confirmed that the upcoming two-match T20I series against India will be played at Stormont in Belfast from June 26 to 28.The confirmation comes after reports of civil unrest in Belfast earlier this month. In response, Cricket Ireland is working closely with the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) and other relevant authorities to assess any potential risks associated with the competition.CI said: “The safety and wellbeing of everyone involved in the series remains our top priority. We continue to work closely with the PSNI, venue management and security partners and are satisfied that appropriate measures have been put in place to ensure both games are played safely and successfully.”Based on the current assessment, there is no specific threat to the competition, participating teams, match officials, spectators or venues. Cricket Ireland also said it had received intelligence that no protests or demonstrations were expected to disrupt either match.“As a result, the Ireland vs India T20 internationals at Stormont on June 26 and 28 will go ahead as planned,” CI said.The governing body added that it will be in constant contact with all relevant agencies ahead of the series.“We will continue to work closely with all relevant agencies and monitor developments ahead of the match. Supporters watching the match are encouraged to follow the official Cricket Ireland channel for any match updates and allow extra travel time if necessary. We look forward to welcoming fans from Ireland, India and around the world to Belfast for an unforgettable celebration of international cricket.“While India have regularly played limited-overs cricket in Dublin in recent years, this will mark their return to Belfast after almost two decades. Their last visit to Stormont was in 2007, when they featured in three ODIs against South Africa and one against Ireland.India’s recent tours of Ireland have been based in Dublin, where they played and won 6 T20I matches in 2018, 2022 and 2023 visits.In this year’s series, the Indian team will also play a T20 International in Belfast for the first time. Much of the attention ahead of the tour has been on teenage star Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who shone in the Tri-series final in Dambulla with a stunning 94 and set the fastest fifty in Group A cricket. If he plays any match, it will be his debut for the Indian senior team.The 15-year-old’s growing profile has made him one of the most high-profile players on this tour, with broadcasters heavily promoting the youngster for the Ireland series and India’s subsequent match in England.Stormont has a seating capacity of about 4,200, which is not a high number considering India’s huge fan following across the globe. The Indian team is scheduled to travel to Belfast via London on June 23, with players and support staff arriving from various locations including Mumbai and Chennai.