Ireland Stun India by 1 Run in Belfast, Clinch Historic 2-0 T20I Series Win

Ireland, powered by brilliant three-wicket hauls by Jai Moondra and Matthew Hollard, registered a historic one-run win over T20I World Cup champions India at Belfast on Sunday and clinched the two-match series 2-0.

The series win marks Ireland's first-ever over India in any format. The Irish win also meant they ended India's 16-series winning streak in T20Is.

Ireland entered the match having won the first match by a comprehensive margin of 34 runs and also batted well to score 154/8 in the second match despite an impressive three-wicket haul by debutant Prince Yadav.

Chasing 155, India were rocked early as Ireland pacer Jai Moondra struck twice in his opening over, dismissing both Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma for golden ducks.

Skipper Shreyas Iyer (10) also fell early to Moondra, while a mix-up led to Ishan Kishan's run-out as India slumped to 39/4 in five overs.

Tilak Varma offered resistance with a fighting 55 off 46 balls, holding the innings together as wickets continued to fall at regular intervals.

Axar Patel (14) and Shivam Dube (20) provided brief support, but India struggled as the required rate climbed sharply.

Ireland maintained control through disciplined bowling, with Matt Hollard picking up key wickets in the middle and lower order to finish with 3/26 in 4 overs.

India eventually slipped to 121/8 after 18 overs, with the chase effectively out of reach.

Harshit Rana and Arshdeep Singh added 14 runs in the penultimate over, leaving India needing 20 off the final over to level the series.

Ireland captain Harry Tector took the responsibility of bowling the last over, but the contest tightened unexpectedly as he conceded a no-ball and a wide, allowing India to score 12 runs off the first four deliveries.

With eight required from the final two balls, Harshit Rana was dismissed on the penultimate delivery, severely denting India's hopes. Although debutant Prince Yadav struck a six off the last ball, India ultimately fell short by one run, handing Ireland a 2-0 series victory.

Earlier, India produced a disciplined bowling performance to restrict Ireland to 154/8 in 20 overs.

(With inputs from ANI)