In one of the greatest upsets in cricket history, Ireland secured a sensational 1-run victory over India at Stormont on Sunday, June 28, sealing an unprecedented 2-0 T20I bilateral series whitewash against the reigning World Champions.
Chasing a modest target of 155 after restricting Ireland to 154/8, India’s powerhouse batting unit suffered a catastrophic top order collapse. Irish paceman Jai Moondra dismantled the visitors within the first three overs, dismissing Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma for golden ducks before removing skipper Iyer, leaving India reeling at 19/3.
Despite a gritty fightback from Tilak Varma (55 off 46), Ireland’s disciplined bowling kept striking at crucial intervals. Matt Hollard (3/26) proved to be India's undoing, picking up key wickets just as momentum threatened to shift.
The drama reached a fever pitch in the final over. With India needing 20 runs, a flurry of extras brought the equation down to 8 runs off the final two balls. Harshit Rana (21) holed out, and despite debutant Prince Yadav smashing a final-ball six, India finished agonizingly short at 153/9.
Following the match, India’s assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate blamed an "IPL hangover," citing a complete failure to adapt from flat pitches to spicy Belfast conditions.
For Ireland, who had never beaten India in any international format prior to last Friday, Lorcan Tucker’s side has written an unforgettable chapter in sporting folklore, thoroughly humiliating the world’s top ranked side.