Ireland secured a historic 34-run victory over India at Stormont, marking their first-ever win against India in men's international cricket across any format. The world T20 champions were dismissed for 148 in response to Ireland's 182-9, with debutants Matt Hollard and Jai Moondra leading the bowling attack.
Ireland's recovery after early collapse
Ireland's innings began shakily, slipping to 51-4 before captain Lorcan Tucker (50) and Gareth Delany (49) rebuilt the innings. Their partnership laid the foundation for a competitive total, with Ireland eventually posting 182-9 from their 20 overs.
India had opted to rest 15-year-old batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, retaining seven of the XI that won the T20 World Cup in March. The decision backfired as the touring side struggled against Ireland's disciplined bowling.
Debutants shine with ball
Left-arm quick Jai Moondra, born in India, made an immediate impact by bowling opener Sanju Samson with his first delivery. He finished with 2-25, also dismissing Shivam Dube caught and bowled, and nearly claimed a third wicket off his final ball had Harshit Rana not been dropped at long-on.
Matt Hollard was named player of the match for his 3-28, taking the wickets of Ishan Kishan, captain Shreyas Iyer, and all-rounder Washington Sundar. Despite ending the match with his hand strapped after dropping a caught-and-bowled chance off Axar Patel, Hollard's early breakthroughs proved decisive.
India's chase falls short
Abhishek Sharma gave India a flying start, smashing seven fours and two sixes in a 19-ball half-century. However, his dismissal by Liam McCarthy in the eighth over triggered a collapse. India's middle order failed to recover, and they were bowled out with seven balls remaining.
“I think we scraped through that game,” Tucker said at the post-match presentation. “We had some tough periods in it but we stayed in it. And we were diligent, and we worked hard. And we were lucky to get the reward in the end.”
Historic win for Irish cricket
The victory was India's first defeat since winning a second successive T20 World Cup in March. For Ireland, it represents a landmark achievement in men's cricket, ending a long drought against one of the sport's powerhouse nations.
