Belfast, 26 June 2026:
Ireland claimed its first Twenty20 International win over India with a 34-run victory in the opening match of the series at the Civil Service Cricket Club, Stormont, on Friday.
Defending 182-9, Ireland bowled India out for 148 in 18.5 overs after Matt Hollard, Matthew Humphreys and Jai Moondra combined to derail the chase. Hollard, making his T20I debut, was named player of the match after taking 3-28 in four overs, including the key wickets of Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer and Washington Sundar.
India, which won the toss and elected to field, made a flying start to the chase through Abhishek Sharma, who smashed 49 off 20 balls with seven fours and two sixes. But once Abhishek fell at 80-4 in the eighth over, India lost momentum and never recovered.
Humphreys finished with 3-38, while debutant Moondra took 2-25. Gareth Delany also struck in his only over, removing Axar Patel for 15 as Ireland closed in on a historic win.
Earlier, Lorcan Tucker and Delany lifted Ireland from early trouble to a competitive total. Ireland slipped to 51-4 in the eighth over before captain Tucker made 50 off 36 balls and Delany struck 49 off 32. Their stand gave Ireland control before late runs from George Dockrell, who made 19 off 10 balls, pushed the hosts to 182-9.
Harshit Rana was India’s best bowler with 3-24, while Arshdeep Singh and Axar Patel took two wickets each.
Ireland had gone into the match without a win over India in the format, having lost eight completed T20Is between the sides, with one previous match abandoned. The victory gave Ireland a 1-0 lead in the series.
Scores in brief:
Ireland 182-9 in 20 overs (Lorcan Tucker 50, Gareth Delany 49, George Dockrell 19; Harshit Rana 3-24, Arshdeep Singh 2-28, Axar Patel 2-33) beat India 148 all out in 18.5 overs (Abhishek Sharma 49, Shivam Dube 25, Tilak Varma 19; Matt Hollard 3-28, Matthew Humphreys 3-38, Jai Moondra 2-25) by 34 runs.
