Ireland ruin Shreyas Iyer’s captaincy debut to seal historic T20I win
Brief Scores: Ireland (182/9 in 20 ovs) beat India (148-all out in 18.5 ovs) by 34 runs at Civil Service Cricket Club in Belfast
IND vs IRE, 1st T20I: HIGHLIGHTS | SCORECARD
Shreyas Iyer endured a difficult start to his tenure as India’s T20I captain as the visitors slumped to a shock 34-run defeat against Ireland in the first T20I in Belfast on Friday. Chasing 183, India crumbled under pressure and were bowled out for 148 in 18.5 overs, handing Ireland their first-ever victory over India in any format.
The day was expected to be remembered for the potential debut of teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. While that did not materialise, it still turned into a historic occasion as Ireland pulled off one of the biggest wins in their cricketing history.
Shreyas entered the series with big shoes to fill after succeeding Suryakumar Yadav, who had led India to a successful defence of the Men’s T20 World Cup title just months earlier. However, his captaincy stint began on a disappointing note.
The right-hander also arrived in Belfast after a frustrating IPL campaign, where Punjab Kings squandered a commanding position before crashing out of the tournament. A change in colours did not bring a change in fortunes, and Shreyas will now be under pressure to help India bounce back and level the series.
Ireland, meanwhile, had lost all eight of their previous T20Is against India. Despite missing several key players, including Paul Stirling and Mark Adair, they produced a spirited all-round performance to stun the reigning world champions and script a famous victory.
HARSHIT PEGS IRELAND BACK
After opting to bowl, India seized control in the powerplay with a disciplined display from their pace attack, reducing Ireland to 36 for three after six overs.
Harshit Rana, returning to international cricket after missing the IPL and the T20 World Cup due to a knee injury, looked sharp from the outset. After conceding a couple of early boundaries, the right-arm pacer adjusted brilliantly, using extra bounce and subtle seam movement to trouble the batters.
He removed Ross Adair with a top-edged pull before dismissing the dangerous Tim Tector, who had looked fluent, with a mistimed loft to mid-off. Harshit repeatedly beat the outside edge of Lorcan Tucker and Ben Calitz, finishing his opening spell with impressive figures of 3-0-18-2.
Arshdeep Singh complemented him perfectly, bouncing back after an expensive first over to dismiss Harry Tector, leaving Ireland reeling during the powerplay.
TUCKER, DELANY REVIVE IRELAND
After a disastrous start that left them struggling, Ireland staged a remarkable recovery through captain Lorcan Tucker and Gareth Delany. Tucker endured a scratchy beginning, crawling to 13 off his first 20 deliveries, before shifting gears spectacularly.
He took the attack to the Indian bowlers, reaching a superb half-century off just 35 balls to keep Ireland’s hopes alive. Delany provided the perfect support, surviving a dropped catch on eight before making India pay dearly.
The all-rounder grew in confidence as the innings progressed, punishing anything loose and launching a stunning assault in the death overs, including three successive sixes off Prasidh Krishna.
Delany eventually fell for a blistering 49 off 32 balls, agonisingly short of a deserved half-century. Their counterattacking partnership completely changed the complexion of the innings and laid the platform for Ireland to post a competitive 182 for nine.
SUNDAR, PRASIDH STRUGGLE
Prasidh Krishna and Washington Sundar endured difficult spells. Prasidh repeatedly attempted yorkers, but several ended up in the slot, allowing Ireland’s batters to cash in. His final over proved particularly expensive as Gareth Delany smashed him, with the pacer conceding 27 runs to finish with figures of 4-0-57-0.
Sundar also came under heavy fire. Introduced in the 16th over, the off-spinner leaked 19 runs, including a no-ball that George Dockrell dispatched for six, along with two boundaries that shifted the momentum firmly in Ireland’s favour. The 16th and 17th overs yielded 46 runs, helping Ireland seize control.
Harshit, however, remained India’s standout bowler. Returning for his second spell, he cleverly mixed his pace to dismiss the well-set Lorcan Tucker for 50 with a slower delivery that was pulled straight to deep midwicket. He finished with career-best T20I figures of 4-0-24-3.
Axar Patel, after conceding 26 runs in his first two overs, bounced back brilliantly by claiming two wickets in his final over to prevent Ireland from finishing even stronger.
ABHISHEK TAKES INDIA OFF TO FLYING START
India got off to a flying start in their chase, thanks to another breathtaking assault from Abhishek Sharma, who laid the perfect platform with a scintillating 20-ball 50. Even after Sanju Samson fell early, Abhishek kept the scoreboard ticking at a frantic pace, smashing seven fours and two sixes as India raced to 68 for three in the powerplay.
However, the wickets at the other end prevented India from taking complete control. Ishan Kishan endured a disappointing outing, managing just one run before chipping a leading edge off debutant Matt Hollard to wicketkeeper Lorcan Tucker. Shreyas Iyer’s first innings as T20I captain also ended in disappointment as he struggled for fluency, scoring only three off seven balls before flicking Hollard straight to deep square leg.
Abhishek was particularly ruthless against Liam McCarthy, taking 21 runs off one over before bringing up his half-century in just 19 deliveries. It was the fifth time he had reached a T20I fifty in 20 balls or fewer, the most by any batter from a Full Member nation.
Ireland, though, found the breakthrough they desperately needed when McCarthy deceived Abhishek with an off-cutter, inducing a mistimed pull that was safely caught at deep midwicket, giving the hosts renewed hope.
INDIA LOSE MOMENTUM
India’s chase completely unravelled after the dismissal of Abhishek Sharma. At 80 for four in the eighth over, the required run rate was well within reach, but the middle order failed to build any meaningful partnerships as Ireland chipped away with regular wickets.
Tilak Varma struggled to accelerate before falling for 19 off 21 balls while attempting a premeditated reverse sweep against Matthew Humphreys. Washington Sundar never found his rhythm, managing just nine from 12 deliveries before top-edging a short ball from debutant Matt Hollard.
Birthday boy Shivam Dube briefly threatened to swing the momentum back with a brisk 25, including two towering sixes, but his dismissal to another impressive spell from debutant Jai Moondra effectively ended India’s hopes.
Axar Patel battled for 15 but could not find the boundaries consistently as the required rate kept climbing. Ireland maintained their composure in the closing stages, with Gareth Delany removing Axar before Humphreys dismissed Harshit Rana and Arshdeep Singh to wrap up the innings.
Despite Harshit briefly raising hopes with a six, India eventually fell way short of the target, handing Ireland the famous win. It was a remarkable collapse after the platform Abhishek had provided and a historic night for the hosts, who will now be eyeing a series win.
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