Belfast, June 28, 2026: Ireland scripted history by completing a 2-0 T20 International series whitewash over India after securing a dramatic one-run victory in the second and final match at the Civil Service Cricket Club in Stormont on Sunday.
Defending a modest target of 156, Ireland produced a disciplined bowling performance to restrict India to 153-9 in their allotted 20 overs, sealing one of the biggest victories in Irish cricket history.
India’s chase got off to a disastrous start as openers Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson were both dismissed for first-ball ducks, while debutant Suryansh Shedge managed just one run, leaving the visitors reeling early.
Tilak Varma led India’s fightback with a composed 55 off 46 deliveries, striking three fours and a six. Shivam Dube contributed 20 from 16 balls, while Axar Patel made 14, Ishan Kishan scored 12 and captain Shreyas Iyer added 10.
Harshit Rana kept India’s hopes alive with a blistering 21 off just 10 deliveries, but his dismissal while attempting a match-winning six with eight runs needed from the final two balls effectively ended the chase. Prince Yadav struck a six off the last delivery, but India ultimately fell one run short.
Jai Moondra starred with the ball for Ireland, claiming 3-26, while Matt Hollard also picked up three wickets. Matthew Humphreys and Harry Tector chipped in with one wicket each.
Earlier, Ireland posted 155-8 after electing to bat, thanks largely to a well-crafted half-century from Harry Tector and a valuable late cameo from Ben Calitz.
The hosts lost both openers early, with Tim Tector departing for five and Ross Adair scoring 16 before being dismissed by Harshit Rana and Arshdeep Singh respectively.
Harry Tector anchored the innings with 53 off 47 balls, hitting five fours and a six, before falling to debutant Prince Yadav. Captain Lorcan Tucker added 15, while Calitz provided late momentum with an aggressive 37 off 23 deliveries, including three fours and two sixes.
George Dockrell chipped in with 19, while Gareth Delany was dismissed for a first-ball duck and Liam McCarthy managed two runs.
Prince Yadav was India’s standout bowler with figures of 3-22 from four overs. Shivam Dube and Arshdeep Singh claimed two wickets each, while Harshit Rana took one.
The victory marks Ireland’s first-ever T20I series whitewash over India and represents another significant milestone for the home side as it continues to establish itself among the leading teams in international cricket.
