**Ireland Upsets World Champions India to Claim T20 Series Victory**
*Belfast, June 28, 2026* – In a remarkable display of skill and resilience, Ireland has clinched a historic T20 series victory over the reigning world champions, India, with a nail-biting one-run win in Belfast. This victory marks a significant milestone for Irish cricket, as it is their first series win against India in any format.
The match at Stormont saw Harry Tector shine on his 100th T20 international appearance, scoring a crucial 53 runs. His performance helped Ireland recover from a sluggish start, ultimately posting a total of 154 runs for 8 wickets. Tector's innings were pivotal in setting a competitive target for the Indian team.
Ireland's bowling attack was led by Jai Moondra, who made an impressive debut by taking two wickets in his very first over. Moondra, who was born in India, dismissed Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma, both caught out in quick succession, and later took the wicket of India’s captain, Shreyas Iyer. His early breakthroughs put India on the back foot as they struggled to build momentum.
Despite a rain delay that interrupted the game, India regrouped and attempted a comeback. Tilak Varma emerged as the standout performer for the visitors, scoring 55 runs, while Harshit Rana contributed 21 runs in a late effort to chase down the target. However, India ultimately fell short, finishing their innings at 153 runs for 9 wickets.
The match was particularly notable for the absence of 15-year-old batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who had been anticipated to make his international debut. Sooryavanshi had made headlines during the Indian Premier League, where he was the leading run-scorer with a remarkable 776 runs, including one century and five fifties. Despite his impressive performances, he was not included in the playing XI for both matches in the series against Ireland. His next opportunity to showcase his talent will be in the upcoming T20 match against England at Chester-le-Street.
This series win is a significant achievement for Ireland, who had previously secured their first international men's victory over India in any format just days earlier, winning the first match of the series by 34 runs. The back-to-back victories against a formidable opponent like India highlight the growing strength and competitiveness of Irish cricket on the international stage.
As the players and fans celebrated this landmark series win, the Irish team will now look ahead to future challenges, including their next matches in the international calendar. The victory against India not only boosts the morale of the team but also serves as a reminder of the potential and talent present in Irish cricket.