Argentina captain Lionel Messi will start on the bench for Saturday’s FIFA World Cup Group J clash against Jordan, with coach Lionel Scaloni opting to rest his star forward after the defending champions ensured qualification to the knockout rounds.

Messi has been in sensational form, scoring all five of Argentina’s goals in wins over Algeria and Austria, helping his team top Group J with a game remaining.

Speaking before the match, Scaloni confirmed that the Inter Miami star will not be in the starting eleven, but is expected to feature later in the game.

“Leo will start on the bench,” Scaloni said.

“Leo will come a little later,” he said.

shaft rotation

Scaloni rejected those suggestions argentina Will field a weak team, emphasizing that every player on the team has earned the opportunity to represent the reigning world champions.

“The guys who are playing tomorrow deserve to play, they’re part of the team,” Scaloni said.

“All the effort we have put in in training is because of him. When he is not playing he is doing everything possible.”

The Argentina coach said his goal is to ensure the team maintains the same level regardless of personnel.

“The dream as a coach is for the team to perform the same way, independent of the players in the team.”

“If you’re wearing the jersey and playing, it doesn’t matter whether the game matters for points or not. You’ll try your best to win.”

jordan test

Although Jordan are already out after consecutive defeats in their first World Cup campaign, Scaloni is expected to be disciplined Challenge from the Asian side.

He said Jordan would likely come out with five defenders and warned Argentina might have to change their tactics if they struggled to break them down.

“Jordan usually plays with five defenders and we are prepared for the possibility that, if we are facing some difficulties, we will have to move a little differently,” Scaloni said.

Argentina will be aiming to complete a perfect group-stage campaign before turning their attention to the Round of 32, while Jordan will be hoping to end their historic first World Cup appearance on a positive note.

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New Delhi: Captain of Ireland lorcan tucker After guiding his team to a historic first win over India in men’s international cricket he has set his sights on an even bigger prize, declaring that securing a series win over the reigning T20 world champions would be “very special”.“Fresh from Ireland’s impressive 34-run win in the opening T20I in Belfast on Friday, Tucker was careful not to get carried away, but he admitted the chance to clinch a famous series win on home soil had already fired up the dressing room.After the match, Tucker said, “Absolutely, yes. It would be very special to win the series against India at home.” “I think the boys are absolutely looking forward to getting back here. The energy today was fantastic, the crowd was fantastic, very special.”

‘We won and stayed in the game’

Tucker described the win as one of the finest moments in Irish cricket, especially considering it came against the two-time defending T20 World Cup champions.“It was very special. It’s a credit to the boys,” he said. “We got through that game. It had some tough times for us, but we stuck in it. We were diligent, we played hard and we were lucky to get the reward at the end.”Also read: The curse of the world champion struck once again as India suffered a historic blow from Ireland.Ireland looked to be in trouble at 36 for 3 after India’s fast bowlers took full advantage of the conditions, before Tucker took the innings forward with 50 off 36 balls.Reflecting on his crucial partnership with Gareth Delany, who scored 49, Tucker praised India’s disciplined bowling before highlighting how Ireland patiently rebuilt.“India bowled really well early on. They stuck to their length and didn’t really waver. At times it felt like it was a Test match. But we tried to stay in the game, build partnerships and then take the opportunities when we got them.”

Debutant earns captain’s praise

Tucker also gave special praise to debutants Jai Mundhra and Matt Hollard, whose combined five-wicket haul decimated India’s batting line-up.“I think we learned a lot from the way India bowled. We asked the players to stick to that length as well and they showed their skill, accuracy and ability to execute the plans. Full credit to them.”He said this result reflects years of hard work behind the scenes.“To beat the world champions at home is very special. Both debutants were excellent, but credit also goes to everyone behind the scenes at Cricket Ireland. Everyone works very hard, and getting results like this is why we do it.”India, led by new captain Shreyas Iyer, were bowled out for 148 after Ireland made 182 for 9, leaving Tucker and his team just one win away from a historic series win over one of world cricket’s biggest powers.

Norway XI: Egil Selvik; Leo Ostigard, Fredrik Björkén, Heinrich Falchner, Patrick Berg; Christian Thorstvedt, Thelo Aasgaard, Andreas Schjelderup, Oscar Bob, Fredrik Ornes; Jorgen Strand Larsen.

France XI: Mike Magnan; Jules Kounde, Dayot Upamecano, Maxence Lacroix, Theo Hernandez; Manu Kon, Aurelien Tchoumeni; Michael Olise, Kylian Mbappé, Desire Du; Ousmane Dembele.

There was a lot of anticipation. More than a fortnight after the 15-year-old was selected in India’s T20 squad, hopes were rising that June 26 would be the day Vaibhav Suryavanshi would create history. It was widely speculated that he would become the youngest cricketer to receive an India cap in Belfast, breaking Sachin Tendulkar’s 37-year-old record. live update | Achievement:

However, the Indian team delayed the debut of Vaibhav Suryavanshi. Newly appointed captain Shreyas Iyer confirmed that Kishore had not found a place in the playing eleven for the opening T20I of the series in Belfast.

When Shreyas was asked about the decision, he said that the team management wanted to support the senior players who were part of India’s T20 World Cup-winning team. Incidentally, this is India’s first T20I after winning the World Cup in March.

“Unfortunately not. He is a gun player. But, we have experience in the team. And the seniors have done brilliantly in the last few series for India. So, we are backing most of them who have performed absolutely amazing. So, I think they will get a chance when the time comes. But, for now, we are going with three genuine seamers, one all-rounder and two spinners,” Iyer said.

Supporting the big call, former India batsman Sanjay Manjrekar said he was glad India resisted the temptation to include the 15-year-old in the XI, stressing that it would have been unfair to leave out either Sanju Samson or Abhishek Sharma.

“You can’t remove Abhishek Sharma after scoring 50 off 20 balls in the World Cup final. Samson went crazy during the World Cup. His last three scores were 93 not out, 89 and 89. So you can’t remove those guys just because we are excited about the young boys,” he told Sony Liv.

“India are doing the right thing and it is the right message. They have dropped the World Cup-winning key captain Suryakumar Yadav. So India are now focussing on cricketing merit, as it should always be. I am glad they have not got too carried away with the excitement of this young kid. He can wait for his turn, and he has time.”

Playing XI of Ireland vs India in 1st T20I

Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wicketkeeper), Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer (captain), Tilak Verma, Shivam Dubey, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna.

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India vs Ireland Live Score: India begin a new chapter in T20I cricket under captain Shreyas Iyer when they face injury-hit Ireland in the opener of the two-match series at the Civil Service Cricket Ground in Stormont on Friday.

While the reigning T20 World Cup champions start as favourites, much of the spotlight will be on young batting sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who is on the verge of making his international debut.

Will Suryavanshi debut?

The 15-year-old has been the most talked about player in world cricket after a sensational IPL 2026 campaign with Rajasthan Royals. After this, he played a stormy innings of 94 runs in just 29 balls for India A in the final of the tri-series against Sri Lanka A in Dambulla.

Suryavanshi will become India’s youngest male international cricketer when he makes his debut against Ireland. However, it is not easy to fit him in the playing eleven.

India already have a settled top order. Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson formed a successful opening pair during the T20 World Cup, while Ishan Kishan impressed at No. 3. The team management will have to decide whether to alter the winning combination to accommodate the teenage talent.

A new era under the leadership of Shreyas Iyer

The series also marks Iyer’s return to India’s T20I squad for the first time since December 2023 and his first appointment as full-time captain after replacing Suryakumar Yadav.

Fresh from a successful IPL season as captain, Iyer will be looking to bring the same aggressive approach to the national team under head coach Gautam Gambhir. India are expected to field a strong middle order with Iyer, Kishan and vice-captain Tilak Verma.

Call for selection in bowling attack

India has to take decisions with the ball also.

The management will have to decide whether to bring Harshit Rana straight back into the eleven after his return to fitness or continue with fast bowler Arshdeep Singh along with Prince Yadav and Prasidh Krishna, who have been performing recently.

Ireland struggling with injury crisis

Ireland are entering the series with several key players unavailable.

The host team will be without experienced players like Paul Sterling, Mark Adair and Josh Little due to injuries. Newly appointed T20I captain Lorcan Tucker will lead a weakened side, with uncapped bowlers Matthew Hollard and Jay Mundhra earning call-ups for the first time.

India’s dominance record

History is strongly in India’s favor. The Men in Blue have won all eight T20 matches they have played against Ireland and last met them during the 2024 T20 World Cup.

India have also been performing brilliantly in this format and have won 12 of their 14 T20 matches this year. They will also play an international match at Stormont for the first time since 2007.

matching details

Match: India vs Ireland, 1st T20I

Date: Friday, June 26

Time: 6:00 PM IST

Venue: Civil Service Cricket Ground, Stormont, Belfast

Live broadcast: Sony Sports Ten 1 SD & HD and Sony Sports Ten 5 SD & HD

Live Streaming: SonyLiv Website and App