BELFAST: Ireland beat India by one run to seal their first-ever T20I series victory over the T20 World Cup champions at the Civil Service Cricket Club on Sunday.
India’s chase of 155 ended in disappointment as they finished on 154-9 in 20 overs.
With the historic win, the Men in Green sealed the two-match series 2-0.
India-born pacer Jai Moondra piled a miserable start on Men in Blue as he removed both of their openers, Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma, for ducks in the first over.
The scorecard was 2-1 as the newly appointed skipper, Shreyas Iyer, arrived in difficult circumstances. He, alongside Ishan Kishan, tried to launch a recovery, adding 18 for the third wicket.
However, Moondra’s heroics continued as he cleaned up Iyer, who made 10, in the fourth over to leave the visitors four down for just 20 runs. The slide continued as Kishan’s runout compounded India’s woes.
Consequently, Irish bowlers remained in a dominant position with the opposition reduced to 35-4.
After an early wobble, all-rounder Axar Patel and Tilak Varma provided some relief with a 39-run partnership for the fifth wicket. The duo brought the score to 74 at the halfway mark with India still requiring 81 runs.
Matt Hollard broke the threatening stand with Axar’s wicket. The left-handers scored 14 off 18 balls. With wickets tumbling around, Varma held firm and reached his half-century.
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His dismissal in the 18th over dashed India’s hope. At this stage, they were 117-7. Despite this, Harshit Rana, 21, from 10 balls brought India back into the game with 20 required off the final over.
The visitor’s hopes flickered when Harry Tector began with a wide and bowled a no-ball. However, Tector held his nerve as Rana and Arshdeep could muster only singles off the next two deliveries, leaving India needing nine off the final two balls. Tector got Rana on the penultimate ball, as Prince Yadav’s last-ball six could not avoid a defeat for India.
Jai Moondra, who scalped six wickets in two matches, earned the player of the series award.
Asked to bat first, Ireland managed to put 154-8 on the board in their 20 overs.
Ireland lost their openers inside three overs with the scorecard reading 21. Captain Lorcan Tucker and Harry
Tector stitched a 27-run partnership for the third wicket to bring the score near the 50-run mark. Tucker made 15 off 18 balls.
The highlight of the Irish innings was a 65-run partnership between Harry Tector (53) and Ben Calitz (37). The duo took the score over the 100-run mark.
Seasoned all-rounder George Dockrell provided the innings late impetus with 19 off 14, including a six and a four.
For India, Prince Yadav picked up three wickets.
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