Biggest upsets in India T20I history: Where does Ireland's shock Belfast win rank?

Ireland pulled off one of the biggest upsets in T20I cricket history on Friday, stunning two-time defending world champions India by 34 runs in the first T20I at Stormont in Belfast.

It was Ireland's first-ever international victory over India after losing all eight previous T20Is between the sides, and it came against a full-strength Indian squad led by new captain Shreyas Iyer.

The defeat now joins a short list of India's most memorable T20I collapses, alongside shock defeats to Zimbabwe and their record loss by runs against New Zealand.

1. Ireland beat India by 34 runs (Belfast, 2026)

Few expected Ireland to trouble India, let alone beat them.

Missing several first-choice players, including Josh Little, Paul Stirling, Mark Adair, Curtis Campher, Barry McCarthy and Jordan Neill, Ireland were

given little chance against the reigning T20 World Cup champions.

Instead, Lorcan Tucker's side produced one of the finest performances in their history.

After posting 182/9, Ireland's bowlers ripped through India's batting. Debutant Jay Moondra removed Sanju Samson with his first ball in international cricket, while Matt Holard struck twice in his opening spell to dismiss Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer. Matthew Humphreys then cleaned up the middle order with three wickets.

Abhishek Sharma's 49 briefly threatened to spark a comeback, but India were eventually bowled out for 148 in 18.5 overs.

The result ended Ireland's wait for a first international victory over India and handed Shreyas Iyer defeat in his first match as India's T20I captain.

Result: Ireland won by 34 runs

2. Zimbabwe beat India by 13 runs (Harare, 2024)

Fresh from lifting the 2024 T20 World Cup, a young Indian side travelled to Zimbabwe expecting a comfortable series victory.

Instead, Zimbabwe produced one of the greatest defensive bowling displays in their T20I history.

After being restricted to just 115/9, India looked overwhelming favourites. Ravi Bishnoi had starred with 4/13, but the chase fell apart almost immediately.

India slumped to 22/4 before eventually being dismissed for 102, handing Zimbabwe an unforgettable 13-run victory.

The defeat was particularly shocking given the gulf between the two sides and came less than a week after India had been crowned world champions.

Result: Zimbabwe won by 13 runs

3. New Zealand beat India by 80 runs (Wellington, 2019)

While losing to New Zealand was hardly an upset, the manner of defeat made headlines.

After Tim Seifert blasted 84 from just 43 balls, New Zealand piled up 219/6. India never recovered during the chase, collapsing from 51/1 to 139 all out.

The 80-run defeat remains India's heaviest-ever loss in men's T20I cricket by runs.

It was a rare occasion where an experienced Indian side was completely outplayed in every department.

Result: New Zealand won by 80 runs

India's biggest T20I upsets

Match	Margin	Why it was significant
Ireland vs India (2026)	Ireland won by 34 runs	Ireland's first-ever international win over India despite missing several key players.
Zimbabwe vs India (2024)	Zimbabwe won by 13 runs	India failed to chase just 116 days after winning the T20 World Cup.
New Zealand vs India (2019)	New Zealand won by 80 runs	India's biggest defeat by runs in T20I history.

Ireland's triumph is arguably the most shocking of the three. Unlike New Zealand, they entered the contest as overwhelming underdogs, while their squad had been weakened by multiple injuries. Yet they outplayed India in every phase of the game to record one of the greatest victories in Irish cricket history and one of the biggest upsets India has ever suffered in T20 internationals.