India vs Ireland Highlights, 2nd T20 at Belfast: Ireland seal 2-0 series sweep, defeat India by one run in thrilling clash

That is all from our end from the India vs Ireland T20 series, in which the hosts sealed a 2-0 clean sweep against the back-to-back T20 world champions. Shreyas Iyer failed to pick up a winning start as T20 captain, and all eyes would be on the team’s performance when they travel to England for the five-match T20 series.

Until then, goodbye.

Rajasthan-born Ireland player Jai Moondra is the Player of the Match as well as the Player of the Series.

Prince Yadav entered the game and smashed a six, but Ireland had already sealed the game after Rana’s wicket.  History has been made as Ireland snapped Team India’s 16-match series-winning streak. The Indian dressing room would be disappointed, and they are receiving all the love from the fans.

Ireland defeated India by one run on Sunday in Belfast.

Harshit Rana hit it straight down the throat of Tim Tector at long‑on. Ireland can already taste victory.

Harshit Rana 21(10) c Tim Tector b Harry Tector 

Harshit Rana smashed a massive six over mid‑wicket and followed it up with a crisp four in front of square, briefly igniting faint hopes. He also picked up singles, while Arshdeep Singh chipped in with a couple of runs. A fumble behind the stumps even allowed a bye.

IND 135/8 (19)

Ireland is on the verge of making history! Hollard has struck again, removing Suryansh Shedge for just one run. The debutant mistimed the pull shot and sent it straight up, with Tim Tector safely completing the catch at deep mid‑wicket.

IND 121/8 (18)

Simply superb cricket from Ireland right there! Tilak, who had been the lone bright spot in India’s innings, reached his fifty with a towering six over deep mid‑wicket. But the joy was short‑lived. On the very next ball, Hollard dismisses him, with McCarthy taking a sharp catch.

India’s chances now hang by a thread

Tilak Varma 55(46) c Liam McCarthy b Matthew Hollard

Humphreys has delivered a massive blow! Dube tried to take on the short ball with a pull, but it went high rather than far, and Dockrell judged it perfectly and completed the catch at deep square leg.

Suryansh Shedge walks in under immense pressure, needing to stabilise alongside Tilak.

Shivam Dube 20(16) c George Dockrell b Matthew Humphreys

IND 117/6 (17)

Liam McCarthy kept the pressure on with another disciplined over, conceding just five runs. Tilak struck some singles, while Dube managed a couple of pulls and a lofted shot that fell just short of Harry Tector at mid‑off. McCarthy beat Dube outside off with a fuller ball, keeping boundaries out of reach. Sharp fielding effort from Ireland.

IND 109/5 (16)

Tilak Varma and Shivam Dube rotate strike through singles and a boundary. Tilak knocked one square on the offside, and some mind games were also played, as Tilak stepped away twice as Humphreys delayed his delivery. Dube pulled and eased drives for singles, while Tilak added another pull for a single.

India still needs a big push to stay in the chase.

IND 104/5 (15)

Tilak struck over backward point for a boundary and followed it up by rotating the strike, picking up singles and a sharp two with aggressive running. Dube added a couple of singles himself, guiding deliveries into gaps.

IND 95/5 (14)

Tilak Varma worked singles with sweeps and cuts, while Shivam Dube finally broke the boundary drought by hitting one down the ground that slipped through a fielder’s legs. The partnership is steady, but the required rate continues to rise, leaving Tilak and Dube with the task of balancing caution and acceleration.

IND 85/5 (13)

Matthew Hollard has broken the stand, dismissing Axar Patel for 14. A back‑of‑length delivery angled across drew a loose shot, and Tucker pulled off an excellent catch to send Axar back. That’s India’s fifth wicket down, as Shivam Dube walks in

Axar Patel 14(18) c Lorcan Tucker b Matthew Hollard 

IND 77/5 (12)

Matthew Humphreys kept things tight in the 11th over, conceding just five singles. Tilak Varma chopped, pulled, and nudged for ones, while Axar Patel punched and guided but couldn’t pierce the Ireland fielders.

At this stage, Tilak and Axar must find a way to accelerate without risking further collapse.

IND 71/4 (11)

Tilak Varma was struck painfully around the hip, needing brief physio attention before continuing. He managed a couple of singles and pulled for a two, while Axar Patel survived a dropped return catch off a chipped drive. McCarthy’s skiddy pace and sharp bounce kept India in check, conceding just five runs.

IND 66/4 (10)

Careful start from India. Seven runs in this over of Harry Tector. India have to build a partnership here as the required run rate is still in control.

IND 61-4(9) need 94 runs in 66 balls

We are underway now. Harry Tector has the ball and Axar Patel. Tilak Varma is waiting on the other end. No overs lost and here we go again.

The match will resume at 16:45 local which is 9:15PM IST. So about 10 minutes from now, we will be underway once again.

The umpires have inspected the ground. They have had a chat with the groundsmen and we are heading towards resumption.

The rain has stopped and some work is now being done on the ground with super soppers to get the game underway as soon as possible.

Watch the video here:

India are currently at 54-4 in eight overs. As per DLS calculations, the Men in Blue are 15 runs behind on the DLS par score. Poor batting is once again costing India.

Rain has shown up again, and this time, it’s a bit heavier. Players had to rush back, and coivers have come up. It is said to be passing showers.

Harry Tector’s over conceded just six runs, with Tilak Varma hitting sweep and cut shots for singles while Axar Patel chipped in with a drive and a cut. The duo is settling in after the early setbacks, building a partnership.

IND 48/4 (7) 

Liam McCarthy kept things tight, as Axar struggled to find gaps while Tilak Varma managed only a single into the mid‑wicket pocket. McCarthy’s skiddy length and late movement denied boundaries.

The early collapse has forced India into survival mode, with Tilak and Axar tasked to rebuild.

IND 41/4 (6)

Jai Moondra continues his dream spell, and this time, it’s a run‑out to dismiss Ishan Kishan for 12. After Tilak flicked and glanced two stylish boundaries earlier in the over, a mix‑up proved costly. Ross Adair’s sharp fielding and accurate throw sealed the dismissal.

With the top order gone, the chase of 155 looks increasingly daunting.

IND 39/4 (5)

Tilak Varma, new to the crease, looked to rotate strike with quick running, while Ishan Kishan nabbed a single but otherwise found the fielders. Hollard kept a disciplined line, denying boundaries and maintaining Ireland’s grip on the powerplay.

IND 25/3 (4)

Third wicket for Jai Moondra! He is on a roll! Similar length, and Iyer tried to force it through the off‑side but only got an inside‑edge that deflected onto the stumps.

Shreyas Iyer 10(7) b Jai Moondra 

IND 21/3 (3)

Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer find boundaries to ease the nerves after the double golden ducks in the first over. Kishan cut past cover for four and later struck a drive for two, while Iyer hit a cover drive and tucked another into the mid‑wicket pocket. 12 runs conceded in the over, and India are rebuilding cautiously after Jai Moondra’s fiery start.

IND 13/2 (2)

India lost Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson, with Jai Moondra spitting fire against the visitors’ batting.

Samson attempted to flick, but he mistimed, and the ball hit the pads. The Umpire’s finger went straight up, and even the DRS couldn’t save him.

Abhishek Sharma fell to a spectacular catch by Matthew Hollard at third man, after Jai Moondra’s short ball climbed on him. Earlier, Ishan Kishan managed just a single before toe‑ending a drive. Shreyas Iyer now walks in under immense pressure, with India reeling early.

Sanju Samson 0(1) lbw b Jai Moondra 

Abhishek Sharma 0(1) c Matthew Hollard b Jai Moondra 

IND 1/2 (1)