How did the 2nd T20I go between Ireland and India? — Review, Turning Points & more
Ireland beat India by one run to win their first-ever series against the Men in Blue. The European nation registered the thrilling win at the Civil Service Cricket Club in Belfast on Sunday, June 28.
Shreyas Iyer won the toss and elected to field first in overcast conditions. Tim Tector departed cheaply, and fellow opener Ross Adair fell after playing a small cameo. Harry Tector held the innings together with a sedate half-century. While he wasn't at his fluent best, he allowed Benjamin Calitz to play his natural
game during a crucial 65-run partnership off 43 balls for the fourth wicket.
Harry Tector top-scored with a 47-ball 53, while Calitz smashed 37 off 23 deliveries. George Dockrell also chipped in with a handy cameo of 19 off 14 balls as Ireland finished on 154/8 on a two-paced track.
In reply, India got off to the worst possible start, as Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan were dismissed for golden ducks. Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer also departed cheaply. Indian vice-captain Tilak Varma tried to play Harry Tector's role, and he too scored a patient half-century. However, once he was dismissed for 55 off 46 balls in the 18th over, things became tough for the tourists.
Axar Patel and Shivam Dube got starts but couldn't convert them into substantial scores. In the end, Harshit Rana scored 21 off 10 balls to give India hopes of victory. However, Harry Tector dismissed him in the last over to deter India's spirit. Prince Yadav hit a six off the last ball, but India lost by a solitary run.
Top batting performance of the match - Benjamin Calitz
Two batters scored half-centuries in the game, but it was Benjamin Calitz whose knock of 37 off 23 balls turned out to be the game-changer. He injected momentum into the Ireland innings and hit three fours and two sixes in the process.
Top bowling performance of the match - Jai Moondra
While Jai Moondra took a bit of tap in his last over, thanks to Harshit Rana's ferocious ball-striking ability, the left-arm seamer had done serious damage with the new ball. He dismissed Sanju Samson on the first ball of the innings and followed it up with the wickets of Abhishek Sharma and Shreyas Iyer, and finished with figures of 3/32 in four overs.
Rajasthan-born pacer Jai Moondra leaves India stunned🔥🇮🇪
— Sony LIV (@SonyLIV) June 28, 2026
As Sanju Samson & Abhishek Sharma fall for golden ducks! 😮
Watch #IREvIND Highlights - Exclusively on Sony LIV📲 pic.twitter.com/A7pEkAnkSx
Records Broken and Major Milestones Achieved
- Ireland won their first-ever series against India.
- Sanju Samson became the first Indian batter to be dismissed on the first ball of a T20I innings twice.
- Tilak Varma brought up his half-century in 45 balls. This ranked joint-fifth on the list of slowest T20I fifties for India in terms of balls faced.
Who won the Player of the Match and series?
Jai Moondra won the Player of the Match award for his sensational spell with the new ball. He dismissed three out of the top four batters in the Indian batting department. Playing his first series, Moondra was very impressive. He also won the Player of the Series award, picking up five wickets in two matches.
When is the next match?
This match brings an end to the series. However, India's tour of the United Kingdom will continue, as they face England in a five-match T20I series up next.
