Ireland Stun World Champions India by 1 Run, Seal Historic 2-0 T20I Series Victory

Ireland created history by defeating reigning T20 World Champions India by one run in the second T20 International at Stormont, Belfast, to clinch the two-match series 2-0 on Sunday. Chasing 155, India was restricted to 153/9 in 20 overs, giving Ireland their first-ever series victory over India in any format. Jai Moondra and Matt Hollard claimed three wickets each, while Tilak Varma top-scored for India with 55 off 46 balls.

Ireland Register Historic First-Ever Series Win Over India

Ireland successfully defended 154/8 in 20 overs to beat India by one run and complete a 2-0 series sweep.

The victory marked:

• Ireland’s first-ever series win over India in any format.
• A 2-0 victory in the two-match T20I series.
• India’s 16-match T20I series winning streak, which began in mid-2023, coming to an end.

Ireland had also won the first T20I by 34 runs.

Jai Moondra Stars Against India

Jai Moondra, a software engineer from Tonk, Rajasthan, delivered a match-winning spell of 3/32 in four overs.

The left-arm spinner, who still holds an Indian passport, dismissed:

• Sanju Samson (0) – first-ball duck
• Abhishek Sharma (0) – first-ball duck
• Captain Shreyas Iyer

His early breakthroughs reduced India to 19/3, putting the visitors under pressure.

Matt Hollard also took 3/26.

Tilak Varma Fights Back but India Fall Short

Vice-captain Tilak Varma kept India in the chase with 55 off 46 balls, while Harshit Rana made a late 21 off 10 balls before falling to the penultimate delivery of the match.

Earlier:

• Ishan Kishan scored 12 before being run out by a direct throw from Ross Adair.
• India slumped to 35/4 before Axar Patel and Tilak Varma attempted to rebuild the innings.

Despite Prince Yadav hitting a last-ball six, India finished at 153/9, one run short of the target.

Harry Tector and Ben Calitz Lead Ireland’s Innings

Earlier, Ireland scored 154/8 in 20 overs.

Top scorers:

• Harry Tector – 53 off 47 balls (his ninth T20I fifty in his 100th match)
• Ben Calitz – 37 off 23 balls

The pair added 65 runs for the fourth wicket.

For India:

• Prince Yadav (on T20I debut) took 3/22.
• Shivam Dube claimed 2/25 in three overs, dismissing Ben Calitz and Gareth Delany in successive deliveries.
• Arshdeep Singh finished with 2/35 in four overs.
• Harshit Rana returned 1/17 in three overs.
• Yadav dismissed Lorcan Tucker (15 off 18 balls).
• Tim Adair was caught at mid-wicket off Harshit Rana.
• Ross Adair was dismissed by Arshdeep Singh, with Tilak Varma taking the catch at extra cover.
• Axar Patel bowled 0/28 in four overs.

Setback Continues Under Gautam Gambhir

The report noted that under head coach Gautam Gambhir, India has experienced several disappointing results, including:

• A 0-3 home Test series whitewash against New Zealand in 2024.
• A first ODI series defeat against New Zealand in early 2026.
• The 2-0 T20I series defeat to Ireland.

Ireland scripted one of the greatest victories in their cricket history by defeating reigning T20 World Champions India by one run in Belfast to complete a historic 2-0 T20I series win. Jai Moondra’s 3/32, Matt Hollard’s 3/26, and Harry Tector’s 53 helped Ireland defend 154, while Tilak Varma’s 55 was not enough as India finished at 153/9, ending their 16-series T20I winning streak.

Brief Scores:

• Ireland: 154/8 in 20 overs (Harry Tector 53, Ben Calitz 37; Prince Yadav 3/22, Arshdeep Singh 2/35, Harshit Rana 1/17, Shivam Dube 2/25)
• India: 153/9 in 20 overs (Tilak Varma 55; Jai Moondra 3/32, Matt Hollard 3/26)

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