Belfast: Ireland created history by defeating reigning world champions India by one run in the second T20 International to seal the two-match series 2-0, registering their first-ever T20I series victory over India.
Chasing a target of 155, India could only manage 153/9 in 20 overs. Tilak Varma top-scored with 55 runs, while Jay Moondra claimed three wickets for Ireland and was named the Player of the Match. Young batter Vaibhav Suryavanshi did not make his debut in the match.
Earlier, Ireland posted 154/8 after opting to bat first. Harry Tector led the scoring with 53 runs, while India debutant Prince Yadav impressed with three wickets.
The defeat also marked India’s first T20I series loss in three years. Their previous series defeat came in 2023, when West Indies won the series 3-2.
India’s top-order struggled throughout the series. In the opening T20I, the visitors lost Sanju Samson (5), Ishan Kishan (1) and captain Shreyas Iyer (3) inside 60 runs while chasing 183. Although Abhishek Sharma smashed a 20-ball 50, India collapsed for 148 after his dismissal.
The batting woes continued in the second match as Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma were dismissed without scoring, while captain Shreyas Iyer managed just 10 runs.
Poor fielding also proved costly for India. Across the two matches, the team dropped six catches. In the first T20I, dropped catches allowed Lorcan Tucker and Gareth Delany to play match-winning knocks. In the second game, missed chances by Harshit Rana, Ishan Kishan, Prince Yadav and Arshdeep Singh gave Ireland crucial lifelines, helping the hosts complete a memorable series victory.
