Iyer Blames 'Not a Stadium' Belfast Conditions for India's Shock Ireland Loss

India's T20I captain Shreyas Iyer has openly attributed the team's surprising 2-0 series whitewash by Ireland to the challenging conditions in Belfast, labeling the experience as "depressing." Speaking just before India's upcoming five-match T20I series against England, Iyer highlighted how the Belfast ground felt less like a proper stadium and more like a local ground, particularly when compared to the well-maintained venues of the Indian Premier League (IPL). He pointed to a slow, uneven outfield and unusual 'squarish' ground dimensions as key factors that made field setting difficult for his team. This unexpected defeat to an Irish side that was missing several regular players marks a significant moment, ending India's impressive streak of 16 consecutive T20I series victories dating back to 2023. Iyer, who recently took over the T20I captaincy from Suryakumar Yadav, acknowledged Ireland's superior understanding of their home conditions, admitting they "outplayed" India in every aspect. This also puts Iyer in a less-than-ideal position, as he is now only the second Indian captain to lose his first two T20Is. With the team now quickly shifting focus to a demanding five-match T20I series in England, which begins today, July 1st, all attention will be on how India adapts and if they can rebound from the Ireland setback. The upcoming matches in England are crucial for Iyer's leadership and the team's confidence, especially with young talents like 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who was part of the squad but did not debut in Ireland, potentially getting his chance.