Ireland have turned a breakthrough week into a full-blown series shock. Lorcan Tucker’s side beat India by one run at Stormont on Sunday to complete a 2-0 T20I sweep, defending 154/8 as the world champions closed on 153/9.
The result backed up Friday’s 34-run win in Belfast and gave Ireland their first bilateral series victory over India, a landmark that lands with extra force because India arrived with a powerful touring squad and a series record to protect.
First international appearance. First delivery. First wicket. Some introduction from Jai Moondra! #BackingGreen | #IREvIND | #FáilteSolar
— Cricket Ireland (@cricketireland) June 26, 2026
Moondra rips open India chase
Jai Moondra gave Ireland the spell that framed the chase. The left-arm seamer removed Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma for first-ball ducks, then bowled captain Shreyas Iyer for 10 as India lurched to 39/4 inside the Powerplay.
Tilak Varma’s 55 kept India alive, and Shivam Dube’s 20 briefly pulled the chase back towards the tourists. Ireland, though, had enough control at the death to finish the job, with Moondra and Matthew Hollard taking three wickets each.
Tucker era gets instant authority
The sweep gives Tucker’s T20I captaincy an immediate statement result. Cricket Ireland confirmed before the series that Tucker would lead a new-look group missing several senior players, including Josh Little, Paul Stirling and Curtis Campher.
That context matters. Ireland did not catch India once and fade. They beat them twice in three days, first through a heavier margin and then through nerve, new-ball incision and late-overs discipline.
For India, the defeat raises sharp questions before the England T20Is. For Ireland, it is the kind of series that changes how the next fixture list is read.
