Ireland captain Paul Stirling ruled out of T20 World Cup 2026 with knee injury, replacement announced

Ireland captain Paul Stirling has been ruled out the 2026 T20 World Cup with an injury. Stirling injured his knee against Australia on February 11 in his team’s 67-run loss in Colombo. Ireland have named Sam Topping, the 20-year-old uncapped left-handed opener, as a replacement.

Stirling was stationed at cover when he dived to catch Josh Inglis in the seventh over, landing on the hard surface of ground straight on the point of his knee. He subsequently left the field, with vice-captain Lorcan Tucker taking charge.

Stirling told the team management that he was feeling better and was in a position open with Ross Adair in the chase. Stirling worked the first ball he faced towards mid-on and attempted to run a single, but hobbled on his way to complete the run before being forced to retire hurt.

“Paul Stirling underwent an assessment and a scan after the Australian match, which has subsequently revealed ligament damage – as such, he has been ruled out of the remainder of the T20 World Cup. Paul will shortly return home for rest and rehabilitation, ahead of the home summer,” Graeme West, Director of High Performance at Cricket Ireland, said in a statement.

“To replace Paul, we have called up Sam Topping, who is able to provide immediate cover as he is a short flight away in Chennai. Sam has been with the Northern Knights training squad and has been playing and training in similar conditions to Sri Lanka. The skill set he offers provides cover across a number of areas within the squad, which is important as Ben Calitz is also carrying a knock to his hand after the last match.”

As for the young Topping, he is currently in Chennai at an off-season training camp with the Northern Knights training squad. He scored 217 runs at an average of 31 and a strike rate of 140 in Ireland’s last domestic season, including the highest score of 83 off just 48.

Ireland updated squad for T20 World Cup 2026

Lorcan Tucker (captain), Mark Adair, Ross Adair, Ben Calitz, Curtis Campher, Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, Matthew Humphreys, Josh Little, Barry McCarthy, Harry Tector, Tim Tector, Sam Toppping, Ben White, Craig Young