Ireland defeated India for the first time in men’s international cricket with an unexpected 34-run victory over the World T20 champions at Stormont.
Ireland recovered from 51-4 to post 182-9 before an attack inspired by debutants Matt Hollard and Jai Moondra rendered India all out for 148 with seven balls remaining. This was the tourists’ first defeat since winning a second successive T20 World Cup in March.
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India had left out 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, whose senior debut for India had been hugely anticipated since he tore apart some of the world’s best bowlers to top the Indian Premier League batting charts. Instead, India retained seven of the XI which won in March only to be upstaged by the hosts.
India-born left-arm quick Moondra bowled opener Sanju Samson with his first delivery and returned to catch off his own bowling Shivam Dube, India’s last recognised batter. Moondra took 2-25 and would have had a third wicket off his last delivery but Harshit Rana was dropped at long-on.
Debutant Hollard was named player of the match for his 3-28. He took the wicket of Ishan Kishan with his second delivery and finished the match with his hand strapped after dropping a tough caught-and-bowled chance off Axar Patel.