Not a single ball has been bowled in Belfast yet, but the mood outside the ground already feels like match day. The reason is a batsman of just 15, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, whom fans are desperate to watch in action. India and Ireland are set to play a two-match T20 series from June 26, with both games taking place at the Civil Service Cricket Club in Belfast, in host nation Ireland. Team India has already reached Belfast, and the craze around Vaibhav here is so strong that a scramble for tickets has broken out, adding to the organisers' worries.
The series carries another notable storyline: Shreyas Iyer will take charge as captain in T20 Internationals for the first time. Yet alongside the focus on the captain, there is just as much curiosity over whether this young batsman of 15 will make his international cricket debut.
Fans heading to Belfast from across Europe
Former India and Ireland cricketer MV Narasimha Rao said fans from several European countries want to make it to Belfast. According to him, the limited capacity of the Stormont Stadium has driven up huge demand for tickets to these matches. It is not only people from Ireland but also fans from across Europe and other cities who want to come and watch the series.
Narasimha Rao said everyone wants to see Vaibhav Suryavanshi bat, and there is tremendous craze for him among the fans here. Such heavy demand could become a big challenge for the organisers, as managing all the spectators will not be easy.
Efforts are also under way to create more room at the ground. According to Narasimha Rao, he has heard that temporary stands are being built to seat more spectators, with the aim of raising the stadium's capacity from 4,200 to 7,000. It is a clear sign that one teenage cricketer has turned even this short series into a major event.
