Ireland surprised T20 World Cup champions India with a narrow one-run win in the second T20I, completing a 2-0 series sweep. This victory marked Ireland’s first-ever bilateral series triumph over India. Despite Tilak Varma’s resilient 55 runs, debutant Jai Moondra’s early breakthroughs and disciplined bowling helped Ireland defend their total of 154/8 at the Civil Service Cricket Club in Stormont.
The defeat ended India’s streak of 16 consecutive T20I series wins dating back to 2023, making it a historic weekend for Irish cricket. Missing five key players, Lorcan Tucker’s side displayed exceptional spirit in defending their totals in both matches. Jai Moondra and Matthew Hollard’s three-wicket hauls in each game showcased Ireland’s superior bowling performance throughout the series.
India’s chase started poorly as Moondra dismissed openers Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma for ducks. The Indian middle order struggled under pressure, with skipper Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan departing early. Despite Varma’s resistance and a rain interruption, Ireland’s bowlers continued to dominate. Varma’s fifty and Harshit Rana’s late efforts were not enough as Ireland clinched a memorable victory in front of their home crowd.
In the end, Ireland’s 154/8 proved too much for India, who managed 153/9 in their 20 overs. Notable performances included Harry Tector’s 53 and Ben Calitz’s 37 for Ireland, while Prince Yadav and Shivam Dube stood out with the ball for India.
