Ireland edge India by one run to seal first T20I series win

BELFAST: Ireland completed their first T20I series win over India with a one-run victory in the second match on Sunday, defending 154 to finish on top in the bilateral contest.

After losing to Ireland for the first time in Friday’s opening T20I, India were limited to 153-9 in reply to Ireland’s 154-8. The defeat gave India their first bilateral T20I series loss since 2023 and marked the first time they had been beaten in a T20I series in the format since 2019.

Ireland bowlers hold firm in chase

India’s chase was anchored by Tilak Varma, who made 55 from 46 balls with three fours and a six. Shivam Dube scored 20 off 16 deliveries, hitting two fours, while Axar Patel added 14 from 18 balls. Ishan Kishan made 12 and captain Shreyas Iyer scored 10.

The visitors were put under pressure early as Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson both fell for first-ball ducks, while debutant Suryansh Shedge managed one run. Harshit Rana then kept India in contention with a quick 21 off 10 balls, but he was dismissed trying to clear the boundary when India needed eight runs from the final two deliveries. Prince Yadav struck a six off the last ball, but Ireland still held on.

Jai Moondra and Matt Hollard took three wickets each for Ireland. Matthew Humphreys and Harry Tector picked up one wicket apiece.

Tector fifty lifts Ireland to 154

Earlier, Ireland posted 154-8 from their 20 overs, with Harry Tector leading the effort with 53 off 47 balls, including five fours and a six. Ben Calitz provided important support with 37 from 23 deliveries, hitting three fours and two sixes.

Ireland lost Tim Tector for five and Ross Adair for 16 in the early stages, with Harshit Rana and Arshdeep Singh taking those wickets. Captain Lorcan Tucker made 15 off 18 balls with two fours before falling to Prince Yadav.

Calitz was dismissed by Shivam Dube, who then removed Gareth Delany for a first-ball duck. George Dockrell contributed 19 before Arshdeep ended his innings, while Liam McCarthy made two and was dismissed by Yadav. Jai Moondra remained unbeaten on one at the close.

Prince Yadav led India’s bowling figures with 3-22 in four overs. Shivam Dube and Arshdeep Singh took two wickets each, while Harshit Rana claimed one.