India’s two-match T20I series against Ireland later this month could face disruption as severe anti-immigration violence flared up in Belfast following a knife attack on June 8.
The subsequent rioting targeted ethnic minorities, leaving parts of the city engulfed in arson and property damage.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has flagged serious concerns regarding player safety in the wake of the unrest, and the T20I fixtures could be moved out of Belfast if necessary.
India are scheduled to play Ireland on June 26 and 28 before departing for England, where they will face the hosts in five T20s and three ODIs from July 1 to July 19.
According to a report in the Dainik Jagran, the BCCI is closely monitoring the situation and is in regular touch with the Cricket Ireland authorities.
While player safety is the top priority, a BCCI source told the newspaper that the final choice of a replacement venue will be left to the Irish board.
Meanwhile, Cricket Ireland has officially confirmed it is actively reviewing local security and will decide within 48 hours whether this Sunday’s domestic cup fixtures can safely proceed.
“Cricket Ireland is continuing to monitor the situation in areas currently experiencing community unrest and will make a decision within the next 48 hours regarding this Sunday’s Irish Senior Cup and National Cup fixtures," Cricket Ireland said.
“We remain in close consultation with the relevant authorities and our provincial unions. The safety and security of players, coaches, match officials, and supporters is paramount in our deliberations. Further updates will be provided as they become available."
The Ireland series will mark Shreyas Iyer’s maiden assignment as India's T20I captain, while 15-year-old batting prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is also in line to make his international debut.
India squad for Ireland T20Is: Shreyas Iyer (C), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (WK), Ishan Kishan (WK), Shivam Dube, Tilak Varma (VC), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Varun Chakaravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Prince Yadav, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Prasidh Krishna.
