IND vs IRE 2nd T20I Highlights: Ireland etched their names into cricketing folklore with a sensational 2-0 T20I series sweep over reigning world champions India after securing a dramatic one-run victory in the second T20I in Belfast on Sunday.
Having registered their first-ever international win over India on Friday, the hosts backed it up with another memorable performance to complete a historic series triumph. Pace duo Jai Moondra and Matthew Hollard starred with three wickets apiece, while Harry Tector’s half-century and Benjamin Calitz’s counterattacking knock laid the foundation for Ireland’s success.
The result also ended India’s unbeaten streak of 16 series and tournaments in the format, with their last series defeat coming against West Indies in 2023.
Harry Tector, Benjamin Calitz Power Ireland to 154/8
Asked to bat first, Ireland began aggressively as Ross Adair smashed two sixes off Arshdeep Singh in the opening over.
However, India’s pacers responded well. Tim Tector fell early before Arshdeep removed Adair after Harshit Rana failed to hold onto a difficult catch at short third man.
Ireland reached 44/2 at the end of the Powerplay but struggled to accelerate after the field spread out.
Debutant Prince Yadav made an immediate impact, dismissing Ireland captain Lorcan Tucker to claim his maiden T20I wicket. At the halfway stage, Ireland were under pressure at 58/3.
The momentum shifted when Benjamin Calitz launched a counterattack. He targeted debutant Suryansh Shedge and, alongside Harry Tector, added a valuable 65-run partnership.
Shivam Dube then struck twice in quick succession, dismissing Calitz and Gareth Delany in the same over to put India back in the contest.
Following a brief rain interruption, George Dockrell added useful late runs before falling to Arshdeep Singh in the penultimate over.
Harry Tector brought up his half-century, but Prince Yadav finished brilliantly, claiming two wickets in the final over to end with impressive figures of 3/22 on debut as Ireland posted 154/8 in 20 overs.
India’s Top Order Crumbles
India’s chase got off to a nightmare start.
Jai Moondra dismissed Sanju Samson with the very first ball of the innings, trapping him leg before wicket. The next delivery brought another major blow as Abhishek Sharma departed for a golden duck thanks to a stunning catch from Matthew Hollard.
The collapse continued when captain Shreyas Iyer chopped one onto his stumps, leaving India in deep trouble.
A mix-up then resulted in Ishan Kishan’s run out after Tilak Varma turned down a single, reducing India to 35/4.
Tilak Varma’s Fight Goes in Vain
Tilak Varma and Axar Patel attempted to rebuild the innings with a patient partnership before another rain interruption halted play.
The duo added 39 runs, but boundaries proved difficult to come by. Axar eventually departed after steering one to the wicketkeeper.
As the required run rate climbed, Tilak and Shivam Dube finally found some momentum. However, Liam McCarthy’s economical over increased the pressure before Dube fell while attempting a big hit.
Tilak brought up his half-century and struck the first six of India’s innings, but his dismissal appeared to seal Ireland’s victory.
Harshit Rana then provided late drama, smashing a six and a four to keep India’s hopes alive.
Chaotic Final Over Seals Historic Irish Triumph
India required 21 runs from the final over bowled by Harry Tector.
The over turned chaotic with two wides, a waist-high full toss and a boundary off the free hit, bringing India back into the contest.
The equation came down to eight needed from the final two balls. Rana then found the fielder at long-on before Prince Yadav launched the final delivery for six.
But India finished on 152/9, falling agonisingly short by just one run.
The dramatic victory completed a historic 2-0 series sweep for Ireland and marked one of the greatest moments in the nation’s cricketing history.
Brief Scores
Ireland: 154/8 in 20 overs
(Harry Tector 53, Benjamin Calitz 37; Prince Yadav 3/22, Shivam Dube 2/25)
India: 152/9 in 20 overs
(Tilak Varma 55; Matthew Hollard 3/26, Jai Moondra 3/32)
Result: Ireland won by 1 run and completed a historic 2-0 T20I series sweep over India.
“IND vs IRE 2nd T20I Highlights: Ireland etched their names into cricketing folklore with a sensational 2-0 T20I series sweep over reigning world champions India after sec…
— kridangan