Ireland stun world champions India as Shreyas Iyer era begins with 34-run loss

Ireland stunned India in the first T20I on Friday, June 26 at Civil Service Cricket Club, Belfast, registering their maiden win over the T20I World Champions by 34 runs. After being asked to bat first, Ireland posted a good score of 182/9 in their allotted 20 overs, riding on a half-century from captain Lorcan Tucker (50 off 36), while Gareth Delany (49 off 32) also made a valuable contribution.

For India, Harshit Rana starred with the ball on his comeback match after injury, picking up a three-wicket haul while Arshdeep Singh (2/28) and Axar Patel (2/33) scalped two wickets each.

In reply, India didn’t have the smoothest of run chases, despite a 19-ball half-century from Abhishek Sharma. The wickets continued to tumble at the other end for the Men in Blue as they were reduced to 100/6 after 12 overs. They were eventually bundled out for 148 in 18.5 overs and suffered an embarrassing defeat.

For Ireland, Matthew Hollard (3/28), Matthew Humphreys (3/38, 3.5 overs) picked three wickets each, while Jai Moondra (2/26) chipped in with two wickets.

Top run-scorer of the Match

Top wicket-taker of the Match

Player of the Match

Matthew Hollard was adjudged Player of the Match for his stunning bowling performance on debut. He first got the big scalp of Ishan Kishan (1 off 5), getting him holed out at short fine leg. He later removed Shreyas Iyer (3 off 7) and Washington Sundar (9 off 12) to register figures of 3/28 in four overs. Following his spell, India went from 45/1 after 3.1 overs to 100/6 in 12 overs, completely losing their grip on the game.

Turning Point

There were many turning points in the match; India were particularly sloppy in the field as they dropped important catches. First, Gareth Delany was dropped on 8 by Abhishek Sharma at long off. Later, Washington Sundar dropped another difficult chance at long off, giving Irish captain Lorcan Tucker (50 off 36) a reprieve on 28. Both chances hurt India as Tucker and Delany rescued Ireland’s innings from 51/4, adding 64 runs for the fifth wicket off 44 balls.

Later, Delany (49 off 32) added 49 runs off 16 balls for the sixth wicket with George Dockrell (19 off 10), to guide Ireland to a good score of 182/9.

What did the captains say:

Winning Captain, Lorcan Tucker (Ireland): 

[On Ireland’s victory over India and his first win as T20 captain] It was pretty special. But just credit to the lads. I think we scrapped through that game. We had some tough periods in it, but we stayed in it. And we were diligent, and we worked hard. And we were lucky to get the reward in the end. [On scoring another fifty as captain] I have no idea why. I’m sure it’outside the leg-stump be broken the next day. But yeah, it’s started nicely for me. [On recovering from 36 for 3 and his partnership with Gareth Delany] Yeah, I think India bowled really well at the start. I think they bowled really good lengths. They didn’t really waver from them. They stuck at them, found it challenging to hit good shots. It nearly felt like a Test match at one stage. But I think we tried to stay in the game, build a partnership, and then took our opportunities when they came a bit later. [On where this win ranks among Ireland’s biggest victories] I think it’s pretty special, I think, to beat the world champions at home, first game of the season, T20 cricket. But credit’s due to the lads. I think we had two debutants there who put in absolutely outstanding performances. I think to all the work that goes in behind the scenes, Cricket Ireland, everyone’s very dedicated, and I think that’s why we like to try and bring these results and support everyone. [On the performances of the two debutants] Yeah, I think they were really dogged. I think we learned a lot from how India bowled in the first innings. They didn’t really stray from their lengths. I think we tried to tell the lads to do that as well, and they just showed their skill and their accuracy and their ability to stay in that spot and make it challenging for their batters. So absolute credit to them, but credit to themselves. They worked so hard, and they were able to execute their plans, what we asked of them. [On the chance to seal a series win against India in the next match] Absolutely, yeah. A series win at home against India would be pretty special. I think the lads are absolutely mustard keen to get back here. I think the energy today was fabulous, the crowd were brilliant, so special.

Losing Captain, Shreyas Iyer (India):

[On India’s bowling performance and the match slipping away in the latter stages] I think initially, the bowlers were bowling well. They got lateral movement, and they got a couple of wickets as well. So we got a tremendous start, but in between, we lost execution. We made them hit straight down the ground, where we know that the dimensions are pretty small. But then, yeah, the bowlers, when we had to shut down the overs, they were brilliant as well. So I thought 140 would have been an amazing score considering the start that we got to chase. But nonetheless, it’s a great experience over here. We got to play in these conditions, got a fair idea about the wicket, and yeah, great start as a captain. [On whether rustiness after a long break played a part and the focus ahead of the next game] Yes, definitely. We’re going to forget what’s happened. Definitely a lot to learn from this game and see to it that we come out in the next game all guns blazing. [On the bowling performances of Harshit Rana and Shivam Dube] Yes, certainly. They were getting help up front at the start, and Shivam, he has bowled crucial overs in the past. So I always back him, and I’ve played with him in the domestic circuit as well. I know his strengths and weaknesses. And Harshit Rana, he bowled phenomenal. Coming out of an injury to perform at this level and showcase this sort of talent, it’s simply brilliant. [On his message to the team after the defeat] I think you can’t take anything for granted. You can’t just turn up and win matches. You have to work hard and see to it that you’re in that moment. Like I mentioned earlier, you’ve got to stay in the present and see to it that if you’ve got that opportunity to squeeze the opponent, we’ve got to do that. And yeah, never take any moment or situation lightly. [On bouncing back in the next match] Yes, looking forward to it.