IND vs IRE 1st T20: The Indian team suffered a 34-run defeat in the first match of the two-game T20 series against Ireland; this marks Team India's first-ever loss to Ireland across any format.
India Suffer Shocking 34-Run Defeat to Ireland on Shreyas Iyer Captaincy Debut
The Indian team got off to a disastrous start in the T20 International match played under Shreyas Iyer's captaincy. Team India—three-time T20 World Cup champions—faced a 34-run defeat in the opening match of the two-game T20 series against Ireland. This is the first time the Indian team has lost to Ireland in any format of the game.
Prior to this, Team India had not lost a single match against Ireland in T20 Internationals or ODIs. In this match, India was set a target of 183 runs, but while chasing, the team was bowled out for 148 in 18.5 overs.
Apart from Abhishek Sharma, all other batsmen disappointed—
Expectations were high for a stellar performance as Team India stepped out for its first T20 International match following the 2026 T20 World Cup victory. Chasing a target of 183 against Ireland, India got off to a terrible start; Sanju Samson was dismissed for just 5 runs, while Ishan Kishan returned to the pavilion after scoring only one run.
Hopes were pinned on Shreyas Iyer—captaining the team for the first time—to play a big innings, but he too was dismissed for just three runs. Opener Abhishek Sharma held firm at one end, though he was dismissed after completing his half-century, finishing with a score of 50. By the time the team's score reached 90, India had already lost five wickets.
Humphreys, Hoey, and Moondra Shine with the Ball for Ireland –
Irish bowlers played a pivotal role in the first T20 match—securing the team's first-ever victory over India across any format—with Matthew Humphreys and Matthew Hoey claiming three wickets each. Additionally, Gavin Moondra, an Irish player of Indian origin making his international debut, impressed with the ball by taking two crucial wickets. Liam McCarthy and Gareth Delany also claimed one wicket apiece. The second and final match of the series between the two teams will be played on June 28 at this same stadium in Belfast.
