Ireland completed a memorable 2-0 T20I series sweep over India after clinching a dramatic one-run victory in the second and final match of the India tour of Ireland 2026 at the Civil Service Cricket Club in Stormont. Defending 154, the hosts produced a disciplined bowling display and held their composure in a tense final over to deny India victory by the narrowest of margins. Jai Moondra‘s outstanding all-round impact with the ball earned him the Player of the Match award as Ireland wrapped up one of their most significant bilateral T20I series wins.
Harry Tector and Benjamin Calitz lift Ireland to a competitive total
After India opted to bowl first, Ireland endured an early setback when Tim Tector departed for five. Ross Adair briefly lifted the scoring rate with an entertaining 16 off just seven deliveries, including two sixes, before India’s bowlers regained control.
Harry Tector then anchored the innings with a composed 53 from 47 balls, striking five boundaries and a six while ensuring Ireland rebuilt after the early blows. Lorcan Tucker contributed 15 before Benjamin Calitz provided the late momentum Ireland desperately needed. His aggressive 37 off 23 balls, featuring three fours and two sixes, pushed the hosts towards a fighting total. George Dockrell chipped in with a valuable 19 from 14 deliveries during the closing stages as Ireland finished on 154/8 from their 20 overs.
India’s bowling effort was led by Prince Yadav, who continued his impressive start to international cricket with figures of 3/22 in four overs. Shivam Dube made useful breakthroughs, claiming 2/25, while Arshdeep Singh picked up two wickets despite conceding 35 runs. Harshit Rana also struck once to keep Ireland within reach.
Ireland’s bowlers survive Tilak Varma’s resistance to complete the sweep
India’s chase could hardly have begun in worse fashion as both openers, Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma, were dismissed for ducks within the opening two deliveries. The double blow left the visitors under immediate pressure, and although Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer attempted to rebuild, both fell after promising starts.
Tilak Varma produced a fighting knock under pressure, compiling a patient 55 from 46 balls with three boundaries and a six to keep India’s hopes alive. Axar Patel added 14, while Shivam Dube’s 20 off 16 balls briefly shifted the momentum back towards the visitors.
With the required rate climbing, Rana injected fresh life into the chase with a quickfire 21 from just 10 deliveries, including two fours and a six. India entered the final over needing valuable late runs, and despite Prince smashing a six off the only ball he faced, the visitors finished agonisingly short on 153/9.
Jai Moondra proved to be Ireland’s match-winner with the ball, claiming three crucial wickets while conceding 32 runs. Matt Hollard matched that tally with an equally impressive spell of 3/26, repeatedly striking at critical moments to derail India’s chase. Matthew Humphreys chipped in with one wicket, while Harry Tector also made an important breakthrough.
Having already secured a convincing 34-run victory in the opening T20I, Ireland backed it up with an even more dramatic performance to seal a 2-0 series whitewash. The hosts consistently outplayed India across both matches with disciplined bowling, timely batting contributions and excellent execution under pressure.
Here’s how fans reacted:
𝐒𝐄𝐑𝐈𝐄𝐒 𝐖𝐎𝐍! ☘️
Ireland defeat India to seal the T20I series in Belfast. What a week!#BackingGreen | #IREvIND | #FailteSolar pic.twitter.com/wCflYEfbRu
— Cricket Ireland (@cricketireland) June 28, 2026
HISTORY HAS BEEN WRITTEN IN BELFAST. ✍️
– Ireland have whitewashed India 2-0 in the T20i series. 🇮🇪
ONE OF THE GREATEST EVER MOMENTS IN THE HISTORY OF IRISH CRICKET. pic.twitter.com/5E9c5wbOdS
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) June 28, 2026
– Born in India.
– Playing for Ireland.
– Debut series vs India.
– Player of the Series.JAI MOONDRA, THE HERO OF IRELAND 🔥 pic.twitter.com/9QjO8OMNiY
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) June 28, 2026
Ireland win the 2️⃣nd T20I by 1 run and clinch the series.
Up next for #TeamIndia is the T20I series against England.
Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/L8GAMNqUC4#IREvIND pic.twitter.com/lvGbGWPcVv
— BCCI (@BCCI) June 28, 2026
Ireland won the T20I series, 2-0 🏆#IREvIND #IrelandCricketTeam #Cricket pic.twitter.com/wn3yQOYNOD
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) June 29, 2026
Saying this again , this bilateral tour, and this historic series win against India, were only possible because Ireland were promoted to Full Member status by ICC in 2017, along with increased funding.
Now imagine the same level of funding for the Netherlands, Scotland, and… pic.twitter.com/N3AgN5DTOI
— Ragav X (@ragav_x) June 28, 2026
HISTORIC MOMENT IN IRELAND CRICKET.
– India Team Loss 2nd T20I By1 Run 🇮🇳😨pic.twitter.com/dsLD96rE67— Gaurav Patel (@Newssports2_0) June 29, 2026
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s father looked heartbroken after India lost the T20I series to Ireland 💔😭
As he walked out of the Belfast stadium with his head down, fans came forward to console him. 🥺 pic.twitter.com/ejO29XCFe5
— Jara (@JARA_Memer) June 28, 2026
Look at the way Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Abhishek, Sanju, Shreyas, and Team India applauded Ireland as they celebrated their T20I series win with the trophy. 👏
Vaibhav looked disappointed after missing out on the entire series. 💔 pic.twitter.com/X9DMWywc35
— Sonu (@Cricket_live247) June 28, 2026
🚨 UNIQUE RECORD BY INDIA 🚨
– India have lost a T20I series for the first time in 1,050 days, and in between India won 2 T20 World Cups
– Shreyas Iyer became the first Indian captain to lose against 11th ranked IRELAND 😯pic.twitter.com/M0OLf96U9J
— Ajay Jadeja (@AjayJadeja171) June 28, 2026
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