Software engineer Jai Moondra of Tonk, Rajasthan, rattled a stellar batting lineup full of IPL stars as Ireland completed a historic 2-0 series victory in Belfast on Sunday, startling defending T20 World Champions India by 1 run.
When Ireland defeated England in the 2011 ODI World Cup, it was undoubtedly the best occasion in Irish cricket since Kevin O’Brien’s historic century. However, they will undoubtedly be humbled on a different level by defeating a powerful Indian team.
Moondra (3/32 in 4 overs), who still has an Indian passport, removed Sanju Samson (0) and Abhishek Sharma (0) for first-ball ducks in quite chilly and windy conditions. The cherry on top was the dismissal of captain Shreyas Iyer.
After the hosts scored 154/8 on a thrilling Sunday, India only managed 153/9 while chasing 155 at the Stormont field.
Harshit Rana (21 off 10 balls) gave it his all towards the end, but he was removed off the match’s penultimate delivery.
India’s 16-match winning streak in T20I series, which began in mid-2023, was also ended by the series loss. The Indian men’s cricket team has accomplished some embarrassing firsts under the volatile leadership of Gautam Gambhir.
Being totally destroyed by a minnow is one of the lowest points one might have experienced following a home 0-3 whitewash in Tests against New Zealand in 2024 and a first ODI series loss against New Zealand in early 2026. It was always a catch-up game for India once it reached 19/3.
Tilak Varma, the vice-captain, respected the circumstances where the ball was swinging and seaming, scoring 55 from 46 balls. The odd ball halted after a little mushy bounce.
With the help of an Impact Player, the IPL prima donnas chose to disregard prudence and never once realized that they are not playing on the roadways disguised as cricket pitches that are available during the Indian Premier League.
Samson recorded his second consecutive first-ball duck against Moondra, who got one to shape in, while Vaibhav Sooryavanshi was breathing down his neck.
After Abhishek bowled a delivery on hard length outside the off-stump three balls later, Matt Hollard ran back from his short third-man position to secure the catch after the southpaw’s crazy swig.
On both days, Shreyas Iyer appeared carefree, which was unexpected for a new skipper. Moondra got an inside edge onto the stumps playing away from his body after slipping a stock left-armer’s delivery that was pushed in with the angle. Ross Adair’s stunning direct throw, which fell well short of the crease, allowed Ishan Kishan (12) to return.
When current deputy Tilak Verma and previous vice-captain Axar Patel joined forces on a pitch with some carry and off-surface action at 35 for 4, it appeared to be over for India.
In the second Twenty20 International, India held Ireland to a below par 154 for 8 thanks to an outstanding performance by rookie Prince Yadav with three wickets and a game-changing double wicket over from Shivam Dube.
Dube (2/25 in 3 overs) took wickets off consecutive deliveries, helping to keep the hosts well short of a par-score of 180, just as Harry Tector (53 off 47 balls) and the dangerous Ben Calitz (37 off 23 balls) appeared to be laying the groundwork for a final flourish with a 65-run fourth wicket stand. Arshdeep Singh and Yadav, who each took two wickets, skillfully assisted him.
After catching Calitz in the deep, Dube bowled a flawless off-cutter that got past Gareth Delany’s defense and hit the top of off-stump. With his ninth T20I fifty in his 100th game, Tector was the top scorer, but he was never able to put his foot on the accelerator. Yadav and Axar Patel (0/28 in 4 overs) used firm lengths, short balls, and effective changeups to keep things tight.
The initial game’s storyline, in which India took three wickets in 50 runs before the hosts skillfully employed the long handle throughout the middle overs, is somewhat similar to the Irish innings. With Ireland in a bit of trouble at 48 for 3, Calitz came in at Ross Adair’s fall and wisely picked up the hittable bowlers. In a single over, 22 runs were scored against the amiable medium pacers of debutant Suryansh Shedge across shorter square boundaries.
Harry’s brother Tim Tector was first caught at mid-wicket making a mess off a pull-shot by Harshit Rana (1/17 in 3 overs). Arshdeep Singh (2/35 in 4 overs) got one to pursue the batter off decent length as Adair attempted to create space. Tilak Varma made an aerial catch at extra cover as a result.
Lorcan Tucker (15 off 18 balls), the hero of the previous encounter, was caught behind stumps by Ishan Kishan after Yadav (3/22 in 4 overs), who made his ODI debut against Afghanistan, bowled a sharp short ball to him. Prince had bothered Tucker and kept him silent in the previous over.
Shreyas Iyer, the captain, made excellent use of Axar and Dube in his bowling changes.
