IRE vs IND- 1st T20I, 26 June 2026- Ireland Shock India by 34 Runs in Stunning First T20I Victory at Belfast !

Lorcan Tucker and Gareth Delany Power Ireland

Batting first, Ireland recovered brilliantly after losing early wickets. Captain Lorcan Tucker anchored the innings with a superb 50 off 36 balls, striking five fours and two sixes.

All-rounder Gareth Delany then accelerated the innings with a blistering 49 off 32 deliveries, while George Dockrell added a quickfire 19 off 10 balls in the death overs. Their late assault helped Ireland post a challenging 182/9.

India's bowling attack was led by Harshit Rana, who claimed 3 wickets for 24 runs. Arshdeep Singh and Axar Patel picked up two wickets each, while Shivam Dube chipped in with one.

Abhishek Sharma's Blitz Not Enough

India's chase started explosively as Abhishek Sharma smashed 49 off just 20 balls, hitting seven fours and two sixes. However, once the opener was dismissed just one run short of his half-century, Ireland seized complete control.

India's middle order failed to build partnerships and failed to chase this target as Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer, and Tilak Varma all departed cheaply. Shivam Dube fought back with an aggressive 25 off 14 balls, but regular wickets prevented India from mounting a serious challenge.

The visitors were eventually bowled out for 148 in the 19th over.

Ireland Bowlers Seal Historic Win

Ireland's bowling attack delivered a disciplined performance under pressure.

Matt Hollard and Matthew Humphreys starred with three wickets each, consistently breaking India's momentum. Jai Moondra impressed with 2 wickets for 25 runs, while Liam McCarthy and Gareth Delany chipped in with one wicket each.

The collective bowling effort ensured Ireland secured a memorable victory against one of the strongest teams in world cricket.

Match Summary

Ireland: 182/9 (20 overs)

Lorcan Tucker: 50 (36)
Gareth Delany: 49 (32)
George Dockrell: 19 (10)

India: 148 all out (18.5 overs)

Abhishek Sharma: 49 (20)
Shivam Dube: 25 (14)
Tilak Varma: 19 (21)

Ireland won by 34 runs.

Player of the Match

Lorcan Tucker (Ireland) was named Player of the Match for his composed 50 off 36 balls, providing the platform for Ireland's match-winning total while leading the side brilliantly.

Key Takeaways
Ireland stunned India with a convincing 34-run victory to take a 1-0 lead in the T20I series.
Lorcan Tucker's captain's knock and Gareth Delany's explosive finish powered Ireland to 182/9.
Abhishek Sharma gave India a flying start but lacked support from the middle order.
Matt Hollard and Matthew Humphreys claimed three wickets each to dismantle India's batting lineup.

The victory marks one of Ireland's most memorable T20I wins and gives the hosts huge confidence heading into the remainder of the series.
Ireland will now look to capitalize on the momentum and clinch the series, while India will aim to regroup quickly and bounce back strongly in the second T20I.