Ireland seal historic T20 series win over India

June.29 (Mirror Sports) - Hosts edge world champions by one run at Stormont to seal a memorable 2-0 series triumph.

Ireland completed one of the biggest upsets in T20 cricket by defeating world champions India by a thrilling one-run margin in the second T20 International at Stormont, sealing their first-ever T20 series victory over India.

Having stunned India by 34 runs in the opening match on Friday, Ireland produced another outstanding performance on Sunday to wrap up a historic 2-0 series sweep. The defeat also marked India's first T20 series loss since 2023.

Playing his 100th international, Harry Tector anchored Ireland's innings with a composed 53 as the hosts posted 154-8 from their 20 overs.

India's chase got off to the worst possible start as debutant Jai Moondra struck with the very first ball of the innings, trapping Sanju Samson lbw. Moondra continued his dream start by dismissing Abhishek Sharma and captain Shreyas Iyer to finish with superb figures of 3-32, while Matthew Hollard claimed 3-26 to keep Ireland in control.

Tilak Varma kept India's hopes alive with a fighting 55, while Harshit Rana launched a late assault to take the contest into the final over.

India needed eight runs from the final two deliveries, but Ireland held their nerve as Harshit Rana was caught by Tim Tector off Harry Tector with the penultimate ball, sealing a famous one-run victory and a landmark series triumph.

The achievement was made even more remarkable as Ireland fielded an inexperienced side, with Moondra and Hollard stepping up in the absence of injured key players Mark Adair, Curtis Campher and Josh Little.

The series triumph is Ireland's first against India in T20 internationals and ranks among the greatest achievements in Irish cricket, alongside their famous victories over England and Pakistan.