India vs Ireland 1st T20I stats: Abhishek shines, Prasidh off‑colour as debutants deliver for hosts

Shreyas Iyer's T20 international captaincy tenure starts with a major shock after Ireland defeated Team India, picking up a 34-run victory on Friday in Belfast. A sellout crowd at the Stormont Cricket Ground witnessed history in the making when the Boys in Green defeated the Men in Blue, who are fresh off a title win at the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026.

Despite fielding a full-strength side with T20 World Cup winners such as Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan, India heavily stuttered against Ireland, leading to intense criticism from fans. Abhishek Sharma was the lone bright spot, smashing a quickfire 50 off 20 balls, while others struggled to contribute. Prasidh Krishna, in particular, endured a difficult day, recording figures he would rather forget as Ireland seized control of the series-opening T20 match.

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Abhishek delivers, but Prasidh has a tough day at the office

Abhishek's lightning-fast fifty against Ireland was the fifth time that he scored a T20 half-century in 20 balls or fewer. Notably, no batter from a full member nation has done it five times. The closest any cricketer came was hitting three fifties in 20 deliveries or fewer.

Additionally, Abhishek struck the third-fastest half-century against Ireland in terms of balls faced, achieving the feat in just 19 deliveries.   

Meanwhile, Prasidh Krishna endured a tough return in T20 international cricket, conceding 27 runs after Gareth Delany and George Dockrell smashed 4,1,4,6,6,6 in the 17th over. It has become the most expensive over bowled by an Indian bowler against Ireland in the game's shortest format.

Iyer had a forgettable start to his T20 captaincy reign and has now become the fourth Indian skipper to lose their maiden T20 matches as the skipper, after Virat Kohli (vs ENG in 2017), Rishabh Pant (vs SA in 2022), and Shubman Gill (vs ZIM in 2024)

Ireland's debutants reap immense benefits against India

The Irish cricket team had an unforgettable day after sealing their first-ever win over Team India, with their debutants shining bright as day during the match. India-born Jai Moondra became the second cricketer to secure a wicket in the first ball of their T20 international career for Ireland after Matthew Humpreys.

Moondra claimed a 2/25 spell in four overs, putting up a remarkable performance. But the main highlight was that he dismissed Sanju Samson in the first ball of his international career for Ireland.

Also Read | Shreyas Iyer issues rallying call to teammates after Ireland stun India in landmark 34-run victory: 'Can’t just turn up and win'

Matthew Hollard, who debuted alongside Moondra, delivered one of the best T20 international figures in Ireland vs India matches, putting up a 3/28 spell in Belfast.

Ireland would be high on momentum when they face India in the second T20 match of the series on Sunday, June 28, at the Stormont Cricket Ground in Northern Ireland.