The Irish women’s cricket team is poised to make history later this year as they embark on their first-ever bilateral series in India. Led by captain Laura Delany, the team will play a three-match ODI and T20I series against Harmanpreet Kaur‘s formidable Indian side.
Ireland Women tour to India
This tour marks a significant milestone for Irish cricket. Previously, the Irish men’s team participated in the 2011 World Cup held in India, but they never had the opportunity for a bilateral series.
Now, the women’s team gets to break new ground and showcase their skills on Indian soil as per Cricbuzz.
Schedule and significance of India vs Ireland series
Scheduled for December 30th, 2024, the Irish team will spend two weeks in India, playing all six matches in January. While the venues are yet to be confirmed, the ODI series will hold particular weight as it contributes to the ongoing 2022-2025 ICC Women’s ODI Championship.
Success in this could pave the way for Ireland’s qualification for the upcoming 2025 Women’s Cricket World Cup, conveniently hosted by India.
Bridging Gap: India Women vs Ireland Women
Despite sporadic tours by the Indian men’s team to Dublin, significant interaction between the two nations in cricket has been limited. Notably, no Irish male cricketer, barring Joshua Little, has ever featured in the prestigious Indian Premier League (IPL). Similarly, the newly formed Women’s Premier League (WPL) saw no Irish women drafted by its franchises.
However, there’s optimism in Ireland. The exceptional talent of young prodigy Amy Hunter, who holds the record for the youngest cricketer to score an international century at just 16, could attract future interest from WPL teams. Furthermore, Jay Shelat, the Irish women’s performance analyst, recently played a key role in the coaching staff of the triumphant RCB Women’s team, showcasing potential bridges between the two cricketing landscapes.
This historic tour to India serves as a stepping stone, not just for on-field competition, but also for fostering deeper connections and potential future opportunities for Irish women in the burgeoning WPL. With a strong showing, the Irish team hopes to not only leave a mark on Indian soil but also turn heads within the WPL franchises, opening doors for future participation.
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Look Back and a Look Ahead: Ireland vs India
Interestingly, India and Ireland women have met previously in six bilateral series, all held outside of India, with India maintaining a clean sweep. The most recent encounter took place in 2012. This upcoming tour provides Ireland with a chance to rewrite history and potentially claim their first series win against the strong Indian team.
