Ireland vs India, IND in IRE, 2 T20Is, 2026 Jun 26 Full score card

OUT! TAKEN! History has been created in Belfast as Ireland beat India for the very first time in international cricket. IRELAND WIN BY 34 RUNS. Matthew Humphreys tosses it up, full and on middle, Arshdeep Singh looks to slog it again but mistimes it high in the air towards long on. Tim Tector runs forward, keeps his eyes on the ball and takes a fantastic catch, tumbling to his right. All the Irish players run to Tector, and the celebrations begin on the pitch and in the stands as well, with the fans witnessing this special moment.

Quicker one, shortish and just outside off, Arshdeep Singh swings blindly and misses.

Flatter, short again, around off, Prasidh Krishna punches it to sweeper cover for a run.

Short and outside off, Prasidh Krishna cuts it straight to point.

Prasidh Krishna is the last man in.

OUT! CAUGHT! Matthew Humphreys gets his second, and Harry Tector will be a relieved man. Tossed up, on a good length and on middle, Harshit Rana looks to slog it across the line and swings hard but gets it from the toe-end of the bat. It goes high in the air towards deep mid-wicket, where Ben Calitz moves to his left and takes an excellent reverse cup catch under pressure. Ireland can see the finish line now.

How big a moment will that prove to be? Matthew Humphreys returns for his final over with India needing 36 runs off the last 12 balls.

DROPPED! Harshit Rana survives! This is dug into the surface, around off. Rana clears his front leg to swat down the ground but gets a top edge. It goes in the air straight towards long on, where Harry Tector settles under it but spills it. Single taken by Rana and he will keep the strike.

WIDE! A bouncer, on leg and way too high, Harshit Rana ducks under it. Wided.

And again! Jai Moondra keeps the length short, pushes the line wide outside off, gets good bounce again. Harshit Rana throws his bat at it but loses his shape and misses again. He has a polite enquiry for a wide but gets nothing.

Good comeback! Hard-length delivery, just on off, pace on. Harshit Rana backs away to cut but misses.

A slight hold-up as the ball is being retrieved.

SIX! Harshit Rana will not go down without a fight here! Jai Moondra bangs this into the deck, on off, takes pace off. Rana picks up early, waits for it and whacks it over the wide long on fence for a biggie. 38 needed in 15 now.

Short of a length and around off, angling away, Harshit Rana slashes hard at it but fails to connect.

Back of a length, just outside off, Arshdeep Singh punches it straight to extra cover, where the fielder makes a half-stop. A single taken.

Jai Moondra to bowl out now.

Quicker, full and on off, Arshdeep Singh drills it to long off for one. 45 needed in 18 balls now.

Arshdeep Singh is in at number 10.

OUT! CAUGHT! Is that the final nail in the coffin? Ireland will want to believe so. Gareth Delany dishes out a googly, full and outside off. Axar Patel clears his front leg to launch it down the ground, but does not get fully underneath it and hits it against the turn. It flies flat towards long on, where Tim Tector gets low on his knees and takes a good catch. Ireland are two wickets away from the win now.

Darts in a yorker, outside off, Harshit Rana squeezes it out to point for a run.

Two dots and pressure builds even more! Looped up, full and on middle, Harshit Rana jams it out to extra cover again.

Flighted, full and on off, Harshit Rana drives it straight to extra cover.

Floated, full and on off, Axar Patel lofts it down to long off for a single.

India suffer a big blow. The fall of Shivam Dube brings Harshit Rana to the middle. He is capable of striking a few lusty blows, but beyond him, there is no batting left to come. The leggie Gareth Delany to bowl now.

OUT! CAUGHT AND BOWLED! The extra ball brings in a big wicket for Ireland. Jai Moondra from over the wicket, hits the deck hard, on middle and off, gets some lift from the surface. Shivam Dube looks to work it across the line but he is surprised by the bounce and the ball hits him high on the bat. It lobs up towards the bowler, where Moondra dives forward to take a superb return catch. India are now 135/7, requiring 48 runs from 24 balls.

WIDE! Tries the slower bouncer, but bowls this way, way outside off, Shivam Dube makes an easy leave. Wided.

Dug into the surface again, on middle, Axar Patel heaves it to deep mid-wicket for one. Can Jai Moondra finish well?

Short of a length and on middle, Shivam Dube stands tall and pulls it wide of deep square leg. The fielder runs to his right and dives to make a fine stop. Keeps it down to just one.

Pitched up and around off, Axar Patel drills it to the left of mid off for a single.

Well bowled! Jai Moondra bangs this into the pitch, on middle, takes off a bit, Axar Patel backs away to cut but gets beaten due to the extra bounce.

Fuller delivery, angling into the pads, Axar Patel flicks it away wide of deep mid-wicket. Ben Calitz quickly runs to his left and keeps the ball inside the playing area. Two taken.

Final five overs coming up now. This game hangs in the balance with India needing 54 runs to win, but Ireland know that a wicket or two and they can take control. Here is Jai Moondra to bowl now.

SIX! Shivam Dube has absolutely picked the bones out of it. Loopy ball, fuller and wider on off. Dube accepts the invitation as he uses his long reach to good effect and clubs it with the spin over mid-wicket for a biggie. 14 runs off the over. India require 54 from 30 balls.

Dug into the deck, on off. Axar presses back and is taken aback as the ball gets big on him. He mistimes the pull to deep mid-wicket for one.

Flat and short, on middle. Dube clips it wide of deep mid-wicket and rotates the strike.

The physio is in to check on Matthew Humphreys, who has taken a big blow on his left thumb. He is being taped up and is ready to go again.

PUT DOWN! A sharp chance, and it was one of those that either they stick, or they don't. It looks like Matthew Humphreys has suffered a cut on his left hand. Fuller and on off. Axar leaves nothing in the tank as he slams it back at the bowler. It gets to Humphreys at waist height to his left. Matthew gets both hands to his left. It catches him on the left hand before deflecting away to mid-wicket. Single taken.

Wide! Short and sprayed down leg. Axar misses out on the tickle. A good take to his right by Lorcan Tucker.

Beaten! Pushes it through and drags the length back, around off. Axar tries to work it across the line but the ball straightens to beat him on the outside edge.

FOUR! In the gap! Floated up, a bit too full and wide as well. Axar leans on and cracks the drive to the left of the extra cover fielder for a boundary.

Will Harry Tector also bowl out? Nope, Matthew Humphreys replaces him.

Bowls the off-cutter, on a length, on off. Axar knocks it towards extra cover and picks up a single. A memorable debut for Matt Hollard. He finishes with figures of 4-0-28-3.

A slower, short ball, on off. Dube is early into the pull and toe-ends it to long on for one more.

Rolls his fingers over the ball, on a good length, outside off. Axar chops it to the left of point and crosses over.

Bashes the hard length and gets a good lift off the deck, over middle. Axar rises with the bounce and fends it down.

Across off, on a back of a length. Axar presses back for the cut but the ball skids through and beats him for pace. It goes under the blade on its way to the keeper.

Hits the back of a length, around leg. Dube hangs back and pats it towards wide mid on for a single.

Nelson on the board for India. This duo of Axar Patel and Shivam Dube holds the key in this chase. Matt Hollard will bowl out here.

Full and near the tramline on off. Dube squeezes it out to extra cover and keeps the strike with a single. A six followed by 5 singles. 72 needed off 42.

Full and quick, wide on off. Axar throws his hands at the ball. He loses his shape and slices it uppishly but away from cover-point to his left. They cross.

Darted in, on a nagging length, on middle. Dube wrists it in front of square on the leg side for another single.

Keeps it short, on off, Axar works it to deep mid-wicket for one more.

Shorter and on middle. Dube turns it through mid-wicket for a single.

SIX! Clean as a whistle. Tossed up, on the off stump from around the wicket. Right in the slot and Dube presses forward before launching it over long on for half a dozen.

India are in some serious trouble now. Axar Patel walks out to bat. Also, Harry Tector returns to the attack.

OUT! CAUGHT! High but nowhere close to being long enough. Wicket number 3 for the debutant and he has his hands aloft in celebration. Takes pace off and bangs it into the deck, on off. Sundar stands tall to play the pull. The bat turns in his hand and it goes only as far as deep mid-wicket. Ben Calitz steadies himself under it and gobbles it up. India are 100/6, needing 83 runs in 48 balls.

Bowled on a hard length, over middle. Dube pulls it to deep mid-wicket. With this single, the 100 comes up for India.

Into the deck, outside off. Sundar drags the pull to wide long on and gets to the other end.

Off-cutter, across off, on a good length. Sundar stands tall and lofts it on the rise to the left of deep point for a couple of runs.

Dug in short, over middle. Washington walks inside the line and gets on his knees to play the scoop but misses.

A big swing and a miss! Cross-seam ball, going away with the angle. Sundar stays rooted to the crease and swings to go over mid off but fails to connect.

Matt Hollard is back on.

FOUR! Gets it through! Keeps it short and pushes it through, outside off. Dube hangs back and gets his hands through the ball to cut it between short third and backward point for his first boundary. 87 required off 54 balls.

Near the tramline on off, stays short. Washington reaches out and ends up chopping it to behind square on the off side for one.

Drops it short, on off. Shivam rocks back and punches it past cover for a run.

Tossed up, on off, Dube clips it to mid-wicket.

India lose half their side now. Shivam Dube is the next man in.

OUT! CAUGHT! An ambitious attempt but it does not come off for Tilak Varma. India slip further. Flatter and shorter, on middle. Varma goes for the reverse but the ball spins back a bit and catches the upper half of the blade. It balloons to backward point, where Ross Adair takes the easiest of catches. India are now 90/5, needing 93 runs in 58 balls.

Not in control but safe. Floated up, on off. Sundar reaches out in front to go inside out. Spoons it behind the cover fielder and takes a single.

Halfway through the chase. Ireland have done well to keep the scoring in check post the Powerplay. India require 94 runs in 60 balls. Matthew Humphreys comes back on.

Hard length and on off, Tilak Varma steers it towards point and sets off for the run, but he is sent back. The fielder has a shy at the batter's end but misses with Tilak putting in a dive. A direct hit would have been interesting here.

Bangs this into the pitch, on middle, Washington Sundar gets rushed again and mistimes his swat down to long on for one.

Appeal for LBW, but turned down! Liam McCarthy goes a bit fuller, on middle and leg. Tilak Varma steps across to clip it away but misses and gets hit on the pads. It rolls towards short fine and the batters cross for a leg bye. Lorcan Tucker takes a review here. UltraEdge confirms no bat involved, and Ball Tracking shows that it has pitched outside leg. The on-field call of Not Out remains. Ireland lose a review.

Review time. If this has pitched in line, then Tilak Varma could be gone. Not given on-field. No bat involved. Over to the Ball Tracking. It has indeed pitched outside the line of the leg stump. NOT OUT!

Nails the yorker, on middle, Washington Sundar just about gets his bat down to dig it out towards short third for another run.

Fuller and on off, Tilak Varma drives it to long off for a run.

Short of a length and on middle, Washington Sundar pulls it but not with much timing and that saves him. The ball goes on the bounce to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Pushed through quicker, short and around off, bounces a bit more than Tilak Varma expects. He fails to cut it away.

Flighted, full and on middle, Washington Sundar advances and drills it to long off for one.

Tossed up, on off, Tilak Varma uses his feet, takes it on the full and drives it to sweeper cover for a run.

Flatter, short and on leg, Washington Sundar misses his flick as the ball goes off his pads towards short fine. Leg bye taken.

Short and around leg, Tilak Varma stays back and clips it through square leg for a single.

Tossed up, full and on middle, Tilak Varma defends on the front foot.

One left-hander replaces the other. Here is Washington Sundar.

OUT! CAUGHT! Fifty and out for Abhishek Sharma! Liam McCarthy gets his maiden T20I wicket, and it is a big one as well. He bangs this into the pitch, on middle, shoots up off the deck a bit. Abhishek Sharma looks to take it on with the big heave across the line, but his bat turns in his hands. He gets no power on the shot as it flies straight to deep mid-wicket, where Ben Calitz takes a good catch. India are 80/4, needing 103 from 72 balls.

Pitched up, on middle, Tilak Varma tucks it through mid-wicket for another run.

Much fuller and on middle and off, Tilak Varma knocks it back to the bowler.

WIDE! A bouncer, on middle and leg but too high, Tilak Varma lets it go. Wided.

FIFTY FOR SHARMA! Off just 19 balls! Half-century number 11 for him in T20Is. Back of a length and on middle, Abhishek Sharma heaves it to deep square leg for a run.

Short of a length and around off, Tilak Varma rolls his wrists and pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Fuller one and outside off, Tilak Varma steps across and bunts it back to the bowler.

Liam McCarthy returns to the attack. He went for 21 runs in his first over.

Short again, outside off, Tilak Varma cuts it towards point for one. 107 required from 78 balls.

Drags his length back, on off, Tilak Varma dabs it in front of short third.

FOUR! Excellent shot! Floated, full and around off. Tilak Varma skips down the track, stays leg side of the ball and laces it through covers for a boundary.

Flighted, full and on middle, Abhishek Sharma looks to drive it away but toe-ends it towards long on for another run.

Drops it short and on leg, Tilak Varma nudges it towards mid-wicket for a run. They think about the second, but the keeper, Lorcan Tucker is quick to get to the ball and keeps it to one.

A loopy low full toss, on leg, Abhishek Sharma clips it towards deep mid-wicket for a single.

End of the Powerplay. With two left-handers at the crease, Harry Tector to bowl his off-breaks now.

FOUR! Finds the gap! A half-volley, around off. Tilak Varma leans onto his drive nicely and creams it through covers for a boundary. India finish the Powerplay with 68/3 on the board.

Pace off, digs it into the surface, around off, Tilak Varma steps across and cuts it to point.

Hits the length hard, on off, Tilak Varma gets behind the line of it and blocks it out.

Short of a length and on off, angles away with extra bounce, Tilak Varma tries to cut it away but misses.

FOUR! Edged away! Back of a length and just around off, Tilak Varma looks to guide it away but it catches the outer half of the bat and flies to the right of short third for a boundary.

Tilak Varma is in next.

OUT! TAKEN IN THE DEEP! Matt Hollard strikes again and gets rid of the Indian skipper. Fuller delivery, on middle, angling in a bit. Shreyas Iyer steps across, picks it up nicely and whips it powerfully, but unfortunately, he hits it straight towards deep square leg. George Dockrell moves a bit to his right, crouches low and takes a fantastic catch with the ball travelling at him quickly. India are 60/3, chasing 183 runs.

Slower one, good-length delivery, on middle. Iyer shuffles across and turns it through square leg for a single.

Nice and tight, on a good length, on middle. Iyer punches it on the up back towards the bowler.

Another bumper, pace taken off, on middle. Sharma taps the ball on its head and plays it wide of point, where the fielder dives to his left and makes the stop. Just a single.

Bangs it in short, over the right shoulder. Shreyas Iyer swivels for the pull but the ball gets big on him. He is not in control of the shot but it drops well in front of deep square leg. They cross.

Across again, on a length. Shreyas guides it to backward point.

Full and angling away. Iyer leans on and drives it straight to short cover.

A dot to end the over. From around the wicket, on a nagging length, around the leg stump. Abhishek backs away to force it away on the off side. Ends up chopping it down on the turf and the ball bounces on his helmet before falling to the ground. A wicket and 12 runs off the over. 126 needed off 96.

FOUR! Abhishek takes the aerial route again. Moving away with the angle, on a length. Sharma frees his arms and slams it away. Gets it off the bottom part but manages to clear cover with ease and picks up another boundary.

Wide! Matt Hollard goes searching for the wide yorker but spills it beyond the tramline. Abhishek Sharma reaches out to slice it away but misses. Free Hit continues.

FOUR! One bounce and over the ropes. The 50 is up for India. Matt bangs it into the deck but offers width for the left-hander to work with. Sharma stands tall and smacks with a horizontal bat over mid off. Oh, the debutant has overstepped. Given as a No Ball. Free Hit coming up.

Going away, on a good length. Abhishek chops it down to point.

On a length, honing in on the off stump. Iyer drops it in front of cover-point and takes a quick single to get off the mark.

Wide! On a shortish length, down leg. Iyer misses out on the pull. An acrobatic take to his left by Lorcan Tucker.

Debutants making an impact for Ireland. Skipper Shreyas Iyer comes out to the middle now.

OUT! IN THE AIR AND GONE! Matt Hollard is thrilled to bits. Not a wicket on the first ball like his fellow debutant, Jai Moondra, but the second ball will also do nicely. Cross-seam ball, fuller and on middle and leg. Kishan crouches and has a swipe across the line. The ball moves away off the seam to catch a top edge. It goes a long way up and behind the wicket. The keeper, Lorcan Tucker, turns around and settles himself under the skier and takes a fine catch.

Flirting with the tramline, on a back of a length. Kishan lets it go.

Matt Hollard comes into the attack now. He is also making his debut.

In the air...but safe. Liam McCarthy sticks to the short ball and gets it around the left shoulder. Abhishek takes it on with the pull and gets it over mid-wicket. Tim Tector goes after it from mid on. He flings himself at the ball but the ball drops out of his reach. Two runs taken. 21 runs off the over.

Wide! Pace off and into the surface, this drifts beyond the tramline on off.

FOUR! Same region, same result. McCarthy spots Abhishek giving him the charge and he digs it in short. Sharma is cramped for room, but he arches back and slaps it over backward point for the third four in a row. 18 runs off the over with a ball to go.

FOUR MORE! Width offered and Abhishek cashes in. Shorter and wider on off. Sharma throws his hands at the ball and flays it over backward point for another four.

FOUR! Finds the fence this time. Fuller and outside off. Abhishek keeps a still head and just swings through the line. He goes over mid off and picks up a boundary.

Pushed across, on a good length. Abhishek stays back and lofts it over extra cover. He does not quite connect well but manages to clear the in-field. The mid off fielder gives chase and hauls it in. Two runs taken.

FOUR! Welcomed with a boundary. Angling away, on a good length. Abhishek leaves nothing in the tank as he swings hard at the ball. Gets it off the inner half and it races past mid-wicket.

Change? Yes, Liam McCarthy replaces Matthew Humphreys.

Drags the length back, a little too straight again, on the pads. Abhishek is rushed and fails to help it away. A leg bye is taken as the ball goes behind on the leg side.

SIX! Easy pickings! Too full, too straight, sliding onto the pads. Abhishek plays the pick-up shot nicely and sends it way over the deep backward square leg fence.

Moving away, fuller in length. Kishan caresses it to deep point for a single.

Nearly carried! Hits the deck hard, over off. Kishan gets on his toes to deal with it. The ball kicks up a bit and Ishan rides the bounce to steer it to short third.

Slanting into the pads, on a good length. Kishan is beaten for pace on the flick and wears it on the pads.

It can't get better than this for a debutant. Ishan Kishan walks out to bat at number 3.

OUT! CHOPPED ON! Jai Moondra strikes with his first ball in international cricket. Stuff of dreams, and he is over the moon. On a back of a length, outside off. Samson shapes up to cut it late and behind point. The ball comes back a bit to catch the inside edge and it crashes back onto the stumps. India are 16/1, chasing 183.

Pretty productive first over for India. Jai Moondra to share the attack on his debut.

FOUR! Not from the middle, but it does the job. From over the wicket now, fuller and outside off. Abhishek presses forward and swings at it. Slices it more off the outer half and goes over cover for a four.

SIX! That has gone back a long way. Dropped short by Matthew Humphreys, on leg. Abhishek does not miss out as he swivels and pulls it behind square leg for a biggie.

Shorter and angled into the right-hander. Samson pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

FOUR! Samson opens his account. Speared in, full and on middle. Sanju stays back and opens the bat face to carve it over the cover fielder for a boundary.

Close to being called a wide. Near the tramline, on a length. Samson lets it go, thinking it is a wide but it is called a fair delivery.

Pushed through, on a length, on middle and leg. There is a bit of an away drift. Abhishek drives it to long on to get himself and India up and running in the chase.

OUT! RUN OUT! Ireland finish on 182/9. They just had to go for the second run, and Matthew Humphreys is found short. Darted in on a good length, on off. Humphreys shimmies down the track to go down the ground. He does not connect well and spoons it in front of long off. Matthew attempts the second run, but Tilak Varma charges towards the ball and throws it on the bounce towards the keeper. Sanju Samson stays beside the stumps and gathers the ball before whipping the bails off to catch Humphreys short of his crease.

Going away with the angle again, on the shorter side. Jai cuts it wide of point and gets to the other end.

Wider on off, on a length. Matthew Humphreys shuffles across and drags the sweep to deep mid-wicket. They cross.

Pushed through, on a good length. Matthew Humphreys throws his hands at the ball and ends up chopping it down onto the pads off an inside edge.

Flighted delivery, on middle. Moondra reaches out in front and eases it to long on for a single.

Jai Moondra comes out to the middle.

OUT! TAKEN! Liam McCarthy holes out. Going across the left-hander from around the wicket, full in length. McCarthy gets down on a knee for the slog sweep but does not quite get hold of it. Hits it between deep mid-wicket and long on. Tilak Varma sprints to his left from long on and takes a good running catch.

Matthew Humphreys walks out to bat now. Axar Patel to bowl the final over.

OUT! CAUGHT! Arshdeep Singh picks up a wicket on the last ball of his spell. Gareth Delany falls one run short of his fifty. Angled into the right-hander, on a short of a good length. Delany swivels to shovel it behind square leg but is tucked up for room. Skies it towards deep backward square leg, where Axar Patel runs in off the ropes and pouches it safely.

Arshdeep goes for the yorker but it comes out as a low full toss, on off. Gareth Delany swings at it but mistimes the shot to long on. They take the first run hard and are able to come back for the second as Shreyas Iyer is a bit slow to get rid of the ball.

Gets the yorker in, on off and middle. Liam McCarthy hurriedly gets his bat down. It goes off an outside edge wide of short third for one.

FOUR! Up and over! Pace off and into the wicket, on off. Liam McCarthy arches back and flays it over backward point. Tilak Varma sprints to his right in the deep and dives, but in vain.

Nails the yorker, on off. Gareth Delany jams it out to point for a single.

Low full toss, on off and middle from around the wicket. Delany powers it to the left of long on for a couple of runs.

Arshdeep Singh (3-0-18-1) to bowl the penultimate over.

Fuller and outside off, Delany punches it past point for a single.

Sliding on with the arm, on a nagging length, on off. Gareth Delany knocks it back to Axar.

On the shorter side, outside off. Gareth Delany shuffles across and swings at it but it goes under the blade.

India lose a review. Flat and short, going across the left-hander. Liam goes for the reverse but misses and is hit on the back pad in front of the stumps. Not given by the umpire. India sent it upstairs. The replays do indicate that it might have pitched outside the line. The third umpire passes on his verdict to the on-field umpires. It stays as Not Out.

DRS time! Shreyas Iyer has taken a review for an LBW call, not given on-field. It looks to be pitching outside leg, and the on-field umpire gets the confirmation that it is Not Out. Due to some technical difficulties, the Ball Tracker or UltraEdge did not come up on the screen.

Flatter, full and on middle, Liam McCarthy gets low and swipes it off the inside half of the bat wide of deep square leg for a brace.

The next batter in is Liam McCarthy.

OUT! CAUGHT! Axar Patel strikes on his return to the attack. Floated up, outside off, on a length. Dockrell makes room to go big on the off side. This is bowled slower through the air and there is just enough turn for the ball to catch the outer half of the bat. It balloons to backward point, where Arshdeep Singh moves to his right and does the rest. End of a 16-ball 49-run stand.

46 runs in the last 2 overs and the Irish are flying at the moment. Axar Patel replaces Washington Sundar.

SIX! Make that a hat-trick of sixes. This has been a remarkable momentum shift in the last two overs. Another slower one, full and around off. Delany gets the front leg out of the way and lofts it over long on for another six. 27 runs off the over. End of a forgettable outing for Prasidh Krishna. He finishes with figures of 4-0-57-0.

SIX! Clears the fence again. Prasidh Krishna dishes out the off-cutter, on a length, on off. Delany picks the slower one and waits for the ball to arrive. Launches it towards the massive sight screen for half a dozen more.

SIX! All the way! The 150 comes up for Ireland. 34 runs off the last 10 balls. Krishna digs it in short and tries to cramp the batter for room. Gareth Delany stays on the back foot, swivels and makes use of the pace of the bowler. Shovels it over long leg for a six.

FOUR! Straight as an arrow. Krishna gets the yorker wrong again as he serves it in the slot, on the off stump. Delany stays deep in the crease and clears the front leg to thump it back over the bowler's head.

On a hard length, tucking the batter up for room. Dockrell mistimes the pull to deep mid-wicket for one.

FOUR! Hit hard and wide enough. George Dockrell moves to 18 off just 8 balls. Krishna goes searching for the yorker and bowls it on middle. Dockrell hangs deep in the crease and gets under the ball to slam it to the right of mid off for a four.

An expensive first over from Washington Sundar. Ireland will want to continue that momentum in the last four overs as well. Here is Prasidh Krishna to bowl now.

Slows it down now, on a length, on off. Dockrell pats it wide of extra cover and takes a quick single. 19 runs off the over.

Flat and short, on off, punched to long off for a single.

FOUR! Edged away! Turning out to be quite an expensive over. 17 runs off the over already, with two balls to go. Full and quick, outside off. Delany throws his hands at the ball and it goes off an outside edge past short third for a four.

Shorter and on off, George cuts it to deep point for one.

FOUR! Gets it away! Fired in at the pads, full in length. Dockrell gets low and swipes it away behind square leg for a boundary.

Wide! Gets the wide yorker in but it is just beyond the tramline. Dockrell can't reach the ball. Free Hit stays.

NO BALL, SIX! A gift, and George Dockrell accepts it gleefully. Washington Sundar gets it all wrong as he slips out a high full toss, around off at chest height. Dockrell stands tall and pummels it over mid-wicket for a biggie. Free Hit coming up.

Pushed through, on a length, outside off. Dockrell makes room to force it away. Ends up chopping it down on the strip.

Time for some spin as Washington Sundar has been brought on.

Full again and on the pads, George Dockrell clips it to deep fine leg for one. Harshit Rana finishes with his best T20I figures of 4-0-24-3.

Another slower one, full and on leg, Gareth Delany misses his flick as the ball goes off his pads and wide of the keeper. A leg bye taken.

Fuller and on off, George Dockrell charges down the track and drills it to mid off for one.

OUT! TAKEN IN THE DEEP! Harshit Rana breaks the budding partnership and removes the Irish skipper. Rana digs this into the surface, on middle, takes pace off again. Lorcan Tucker picks it up and heaves it well but just does not get the elevation and hits it straight down the throat of deep mid-wicket. Tilak Varma does not have to move much and takes a fine catch. End of a 64-run stand. George Dockrell is the new man in.

It has been a decent outing so far for Harshit Rana on his return.

WIDE! Bangs in a bouncer, but just down the leg and maybe too high as well, Lorcan Tucker tries to hook it away but misses. Wided.

Slower one, full and on leg, Gareth Delany clips it through square leg for a single.

Short of a length and on middle, Gareth Delany pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

Harshit Rana (3-0-18-2) has been brought back for his final over.

FIFTY FOR TUCKER! Off 35 balls! This is his 12th half-century in T20Is. Good length and on off, angling in, Lorcan Tucker works it off the inner half of the bat through square leg for a brace. Tucker knows that he has to make this count for them to get to a good total.

Touch fuller and on middle, Lorcan Tucker blocks it out to the off side.

FOUR! Lovely hit! Shivam Dube lands this short of a length and on middle, pace on this time. Lorcan Tucker picks up the length early and pulls it with disdain for a one-bounce four towards the deep mid-wicket fence.

On a length and on middle and leg, Gareth Delany clips it to deep square leg for another run.

Into the surface, around leg, slower again, Lorcan Tucker backs away and slaps it to long off or a run.

Pace off, hard length and on leg, Gareth Delany swats it to long on for a single.

Shivam Dube (2-0-9-1) returns to the attack.

SIX! All the way! A half-tracker, on middle. Lorcan Tucker has all the time in the world to rock back and whack it over the deep mid-wicket fence for a biggie. 100 up for Ireland!

FOUR! Good shot! Flatter delivery, full and on off, Lorcan Tucker gets his hands through the shot and cracks the drive through covers for a boundary.

Short again, on off, Gareth Delany punches it to long off for a run.

Arm ball, short and around leg, angling in. Gareth Delany moves back and swings hard but the ball brushes his pads and goes behind.

Tossed up, full and on off, Lorcan Tucker drives it to long off for a single.

FOUR! Half-chance but a decent effort! Short and on middle, Lorcan Tucker moves back and pulls it wide of long on. It goes flat and aerially, and Washington Sundar puts in a dive to his right, but the ball clips his fingertips and goes away for a boundary.

Pitched up and on off, shaping in, Gareth Delany stabs it back to the bowler.

A low full toss, on middle, Lorcan Tucker bunts it down to long on for one.

Bangs this into the pitch, on middle, jags back in, Lorcan Tucker gets rushed and mistimes the pull through mid-wicket for a brace.

FOUR! Gets it away! Hard length, just around off, takes pace off. Lorcan Tucker moves across for the scoop, gets it from the inner part of the bat but flies wide of the keeper, to the fine leg fence for a boundary.

Lands this on a good length and on off, skids through and takes off a bit. Lorcan Tucker backs away and tries to guide it away but gets beaten on the outside edge.

Back of a length and on middle, Gareth Delany heaves it on the bounce to deep square leg for a single.

Prasidh Krishna (2-0-22-0) is back with a change of ends.

DROPPED! A mix-up and the chance goes down! Axar Patel gives this one some more air, full and on middle. Gareth Delany uses his feet to loft it down the ground, but he does not get to the pitch of it and mistimes it in the air over the bowler's head. Abhishek Sharma from long off runs to his right, but spills it out. Maybe Arshdeep Singh converging from long on came into his eyeline, but it still should have been taken.

Looped up, full and on middle, Gareth Delany knocks it back to the bowler.

Slows it up, full and around leg, angling in, Lorcan Tucker forces it down to long on for another run.

Have we lost the ball? Seems so. Oh, it has been retrieved, so no need for a replacement.

SIX! That is a shot and a half! Flighted, full and around middle, Lorcan Tucker skips down the track to get to the pitch of the ball. He connects sweetly and tonks it over the long off fence for a biggie.

Floated, full and on middle, Gareth Delany works it down to long on for a run.

Tossed up, full and on middle and leg, Lorcan Tucker drills it to long on for a single.

Halfway mark reached! India are in control of proceedings here and will be looking to keep chipping in with the wickets. Ireland need a partnership here, or else they are in danger of getting bundled out cheaply. First look at spin as Axar Patel comes on.

On the shorter side, over off. Gareth Delany swivels and swings hard for the pull but the ball goes under the blade. Another tidy over by Dube.

Hits the deck hard and gets a bit of lift off the deck, on off. Lorcan rides the bounce and runs it down to deep third for one.

Varies his length as he goes fuller now, outside off. Lorcan shuffles across and tries to swipe it across the line. Ekes out an inside edge onto the pads and it drops on the off side.

A play and a miss! At 126 kph, on a good length, outside off. Tucker leans on to play the late dab but misses.

Fuller now, on middle. Tucker pushes with hard hands. Slices it off the outer half to point.

Leading edge but safe! That in-between length, on middle. Delany tries to work it across the line with a closed bat face. The ball holds up in the surface and it pops up off a leading edge but goes well wide of the bowler to his right. Single taken.

Wide! On a length, sliding down leg. Gareth Delany misses out on the tickle.

Is it time for some spin? Not yet. Dube to continue.

Lands it on a hard length, on middle. Gareth whips it to wide long on for a single.

Cut in half! Nipping back in, on a nagging length, on middle. Delany does not move his feet much and pushes out in front of his body. Gets beaten on the inside edge and the bounce takes the ball over the stumps.

FOUR! Hit with real authority. Cross-seam ball, on the shorter side. Delany stands tall and with a still head, he thumps it over mid off. One bounce and over the ropes.

Leg bye! Angled into the hips, on a back of a length. Tucker is beaten on the flick and wears it on the pads. A leg bye is taken as the ball goes wide of point.

Dug in short, over middle. Lorcan Tucker ducks under it.

Uppish but safe. Honing in on the off stump, on a good length. Tucker tries to play the drive on the rise, but can't keep it on the ground. The cover fielder dives to his left, but the ball evades him, and it goes behind for a couple.

Serves it on a short of a length, following the batter. Lorcan works it off the back foot wide of backward point for one.

FOUR! Nicely done! Dube bends his back and digs it in short, over middle. Tucker backs away and gets his hands high to slap it to the right of deep point for a boundary.

At the stumps, a bit fuller. Lorcan defends it watchfully.

Drifting onto the pads, on a length. Gareth whips it wide of mid-wicket and opens his account with a single.

At 126 kph, on a good length, on off. Delany punches it to cover.

A birthday present for Shivam Dube. That brings Gareth Delany out to the middle.

OUT! IN THE AIR AND GONE! Shivam Dube strikes with the first ball on his birthday. Dube goes into the surface, over middle. Calitz pivots on the back foot and shapes up for the pull, but fails to get on top of the bounce. It is skied off a top edge behind Prasidh Krishna at short fine leg. Krishna runs over his left shoulder as he goes after it. Keeps his eyes on the ball all the way through and takes a well-judged catch. Ireland are now 4 down for 51.

Double change. Shivam Dube has been introduced into the attack now.

Tucking the batter up for room, bowled on a hard length. Ben nurdles it square on the leg side for a single. 15 runs off Krishna's first over.

SIX! Clean strike. That brings up the 50 for Ireland. Pushes the length up, does Prasidh, on middle. Calitz dances down the track and gives himself a bit of room to get his hands through the ball. With a clean swing of the arms, he pumps it over mid off for a six.

Hits the hard length again, on off. Lorcan dabs it wide of cover-point and turns the strike over.

On a hard length, on off. Ben drops it with soft hands in front of cover and hurries to the other end.

SIX! Top edge but it goes all the way. Bowled into the surface, over off. Calitz stands tall and swivels for the pull. A top edge is found and it sails over the deep fine leg fence.

Starts well, does Prasidh. Angled in from around the wicket before straightening off the deck, on a good length, around off. Calitz stays rooted to the crease and tries to cover the line but is beaten on the outside edge and the ball goes on the bounce to the keeper.

First bowling change as Prasidh Krishna replaces Arshdeep Singh.

Goes past the bat again! In the channel on off, on a back of a length. Tucker fiddles at the ball and is beaten on the outside edge. After 6 overs, Ireland are 36/3.

A big swing and a miss! Rana hurls it on a good length, just outside the off stump. Tucker does not move his feet at all and just swings through the line. He connects with thin air, and the ball sneaks past the off pole.

Fuller in length, around off. Calitz makes room to force it through the off side. Gets it off the outer half down to deep third for one.

Keeps in that same line, outside off, on a good length. Ben pushes away from his body and is beaten as the ball nips away with a bit of extra bounce.

Wider on off, a bit fuller as well. Calitz throws his hands at the ball but misses.

Angled in at the hips, on a back of a length. Lorcan gets on his toes and nudges it wide of mid-wicket for a single.

Wide! Sprayed down leg by Rana. Tucker swings at it but fails to connect.

Third over in a row for Harshit Rana as well.

Hard length and on off, angling in, Lorcan Tucker steers it just wide of point for a single.

Short of a length and just outside off, Lorcan Tucker punches it hard but straight to cover-point.

On a length and on off, Lorcan Tucker pats it towards cover.

Good length and around off, Lorcan Tucker shuffles across early for the scoop but gets it more from the bottom half of his bat. It rolls towards fine leg for a couple of runs.

Back of a length and on middle and off, Lorcan Tucker stays back and dabs it to point.

Fuller and on off, Lorcan Tucker opens the bat face and guides it towards point.

Arshdeep Singh continues and will bowl his third over on the trot.

Pitched up, on middle and off, Ben Calitz blocks it out.

Comes around the wicket, lands this on good length, just outside off, shaping away. Ben Calitz thinks about playing at it, but then withdraws his bat late as the ball goes to the keeper.

The new batter is Ben Calitz. Two slips in place for the left-hander.

OUT! IN THE AIR...GONE! Harshit Rana has his second. He bends his back and hits the deck hard, on off, gets some extra bounce as well. Tim Tector charges down the track and has a big swing across the line, but his head falls over and his bat turns in his hands too. He ends up slicing it high in the air towards mid off, where Shreyas Iyer settles under the high ball and takes a good catch. The Irish are in early trouble here.

WIDE! Harshit Rana bangs in a bouncer, on middle, but too high for the batter, Tim Tector lets it go. Wided.

FOUR! Put away! Hard-length delivery, angling into the batter. Tim Tector closes the face of his bat and swipes it away to the deep square leg fence for a boundary.

Just back of a length and around off, holds its line, Tim Tector tries to hit it through the line but fails to connect.

Fuller delivery, on middle, angling in sharply, Tim Tector looks to work it away but gets an inside edge onto his pads as the ball rolls to the off side.

Ireland are two down early. In walks the newly appointed skipper, Lorcan Tucker.

OUT! EDGED AND GONE! Arshdeep Singh gets a wicket now. He goes fuller and on the sixth stump line, angling it away. Harry Tector, without moving his feet, goes for the big booming drive and ends up getting a thin outside edge. It flies behind, where Sanju Samson takes a regulation catch to his right. Ireland are 25/2.

Short of a length and on off, Harry Tector keeps it out to the off side.

Good length and on off, Tim Tector steers it towards point for a quick single.

DROPPED AND FOUR! That should have been taken! Arshdeep Singh pulls his length back a bit, on middle. Tim Tector looks to heave it across the line, but gets a top edge as the ball flies wide of mid on. Shivam Dube runs a long way to his right, keeps his eyes on the ball and tries to grab it with his outstretched hands but ends up parrying it to the fence for a boundary. In the process, he breaks his sunglasses as they fall on the ground. Expensive drop!

Fuller and just outside off, Tim Tector looks to drive it away but gets an inside edge onto his pads.

Beaten! Back of a length and on middle and off, angling away. Tim Tector looks to clip it across the line but the ball zips past the outside edge.

On a length and on off, Harry Tector dabs it to point.

Harry Tector joins his brother Tim in the middle.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Harshit Rana strikes on his return to the national side right away. He hits the deck hard, on middle. Ross Adair clears his front leg for the pull, but this is not that short for that shot. It catches the top edge and flies miles high in the air behind. Sanju Samson, the keeper, settles under the swirling ball and pouches it safely into his gloves. Ireland are 20/1 now.

Full again, on middle, Tim Tector knocks it towards mid on for a quick run.

Pitched up and on middle, angling in, Ross Adair drills it wide of mid on, where the fielder makes a half-stop. They cross.

FOUR! Nothing streaky about this one! Short of a length and just outside off. Ross Adair gets on top of the bounce and drags his pull to the deep mid-wicket fence for another boundary.

FOUR! Streaky! Harshit Rana begins with a hard-length delivery, on off. Ross Adair backs away and slashes hard at it, but gets an outside edge due to the extra bounce. It flies well over first slip and runs to the fence behind for a boundary.

Harshit Rana will share the attack. Rana is making his return after a lengthy injury layoff that also saw him miss the T20 World Cup.

SIX! BANG! That is some strike from Tim Tector. Back of a length and on middle and leg, sits up nicely for the batter. Tector picks up the length in a trice and hammers it over the deep mid-wicket fence for the first biggie of the game.

Much fuller on middle and leg, swings in. Ross Adair uses his feet to whip it away, but loses his shape. It goes off the inside half of the bat towards deep square leg but stops ahead of the fence. Three taken.

Swing and a miss! This is banged into the pitch, on middle, keeps rising, Ross Adair has a big heave across the line but misses. Sanju Samson, the keeper, collects it above his head, which shows the carry this pitch has here.

BEAUTY! Arshdeep Singh lands this on a back of a length and on the sixth stump line, gets it to shape away. Ross Adair has a tentative poke at it but gets beaten on the outside edge.

Good cricket! Fuller delivery, on off, shaping in, Tim Tector drills it wide of cover. Tilak Varma dives to his right and gets a hand on it to take the sting out of the shot. A single taken. Ireland are underway!

Gets away with it! Arshdeep Singh, in search of swing, tries to go full but serves a full toss, around off. Tim Tector drives it firmly but fails to beat cover.

We are all set for the action to get underway. It is a sellout crowd in Belfast as Shreyas Iyer leads his troops out onto the park on an overcast afternoon. Ross Adair and Tim Tector are the two Irish openers. Arshdeep Singh will start with the new ball. Tector is on strike. A slip in place. The countdown is done, and away we go...

We are just moments away from the first ball, but before that, it is time for the national anthems. Shreyas Iyer and Lorcan Tucker lead their respective sides out alongside the mascots. It will be the Indian national anthem first, followed by that of Ireland.

Words from the Indian camp - Arshdeep Singh says that the preparations have been good. Adds that they have had a good training session last night, but it will be important to get accustomed to the conditions. Mentions that they have worked on what will work best here, with the dimensions of the ground and the wind blowing across. Arshdeep shares that this is an opponent they don't play much, so they have to adapt to the conditions quickly and be a couple of steps ahead of them. Says that he does not have any specific personal goals, but just to uphold his standards, as they have played some excellent cricket in the past couple of years. Mentions that it is about keeping things simple and backing themselves.

India (Playing XI) - Sanju Samson (WK), Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer (C), Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh and Prasidh Krishna.

Ireland (Playing XI) - Tim Tector, Ross Adair, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker (C/WK), Ben Calitz, Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, Liam McCarthy, Matthew Humphreys, Jai Moondra (On debut) and Matt Hollard (On debut).

The skipper of Ireland - Lorcan Tucker says they would have bowled first as well. Mentions that it is one of the better surfaces he has seen in Belfast. On taking over the captaincy from Paul Stirling, Tucker says it has been a natural transition. Shares that he has learned a lot from Stirling over the years and feels he is in a good place to lead the group. Informs that they have two debutants in Jai Moondra and Matt Hollard. On playing against India in front of a full house, Tucker says these are always special occasions and typically attract the biggest crowds. Hopes the fans get right behind the Irish side.

The captain of India - Shreyas Iyer says that it is a new surface for them. Adds that the majority of players haven't played here in Belfast, and given the conditions, they want to field first. Mentions that coach Gautam Gambhir has just asked the players to be themselves. Says that they have to get accustomed to the conditions and had a good training session. Iyer shares that they do have an eye on making it three in a row in terms of T20 World Cup titles, but are taking one game at a time. For now, the focus is here in Ireland and getting the best out of each other. Tells that you don't have to complicate things and just stay in present. Iyer informs that, unfortunately, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi will not be making his debut. Calls him a gun player but admits that they have some tremendous players and are backing them who have done a fantastic job. Says that Vaibhav will get his chance when the time is right. Ends by saying that they are going with three seamers, one all-rounder and two spinners.

TOSS - Lorcan Tucker and Shreyas Iyer exchange pleasantries in the middle before they get ready for the toss. 'Tails' is the call from Iyer, and he gets it right. India opt to BOWL first.

We haven't seen any caps being presented in either camp yet, so there may not be any debutants. We won't have to wait much longer, though, with the toss just around the corner, when the team news will be confirmed.

Ireland banking on familiar faces - Ireland, however, are a side that cannot be underestimated, especially at home. Harry Tector continues to be the pillar of their batting, having scored more than 200 T20I runs in each of the last five calendar years, while captain Lorcan Tucker has thrived in leadership, averaging over 50 and striking at 165 in T20s as skipper. The attacking Ross Adair and all-rounders Gareth Delany and George Dockrell add further depth, while Matthew Humphreys has quietly established himself as one of Ireland's most effective wicket-taking options in the format. Ireland know they start as underdogs, but Stormont has often brought out their best performances. Stay tuned for toss and other updates.

One for the future - Another major talking point ahead of the series is the much-anticipated debut of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. The teenage sensation has taken the cricketing world by storm with his fearless strokeplay and rapid rise through the ranks, earning comparisons with some of the game's brightest young talents. If he gets the nod in Belfast, all eyes will be on the youngster as he embarks on what India hope will be the start of a long and exciting international career.

India's firepower on display - India once again arrive with a squad packed with firepower and experience, and the series also marks the beginning of a new chapter with newly appointed T20I captain Shreyas Iyer leading the side. He has no shortage of match-winners at his disposal. Sanju Samson, who averages 59 against Ireland and has previously struck a 77 against them, will be one of the key figures at the top, while the likes of Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma and Shivam Dube provide plenty of muscle in the batting department. The bowling attack is equally potent, with Arshdeep Singh and Ravi Bishnoi both boasting impressive records against Ireland, while Axar Patel and Washington Sundar offer control through the middle overs. On paper, India possess all the ingredients of a side capable of making a strong start to the Shreyas Iyer era.

Summer cricket returns to Belfast - International cricket returns to Stormont in Belfast as Ireland and India lock horns in the opening T20I of a two-match series. Welcome to what promises to be another entertaining contest between two sides that have produced some memorable games in recent years. For India, this marks the beginning of another short but important assignment as they continue to build depth in their white-ball setup, while Ireland will relish the opportunity to test themselves against one of the game's powerhouses and current World champions in home conditions.

... MATCH DAY ...

Festive times in Ireland - India’s white-ball caravan rarely pauses, and their two-match stop in Ireland now doubles as the beginning of a fresh T20I chapter after sealing back-to-back T20 World Cup wins. The first game of the series, at the Civil Service Cricket Club in Belfast, is not just another short bilateral assignment. It is India’s first T20I after a significant leadership reset, a chance to test a new combination ahead of a packed white-ball cycle, and potentially the stage for one of the youngest debuts in Indian cricket history if Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is handed a cap. Ireland, meanwhile, enter the contest with the usual underdog tag, but also with a real opportunity - home conditions, a compact venue that can reward discipline, and a visiting side still settling into a new hierarchy. David vs Goliath - On paper, this remains a mismatch. India’s squad is deeper, more explosive and more versatile across phases. They have Powerplay hitters who can break games in a space of just a few balls, middle-order players comfortable against pace and spin, and a bowling group that can attack both ends of an innings. The broader story, though, is not whether India are favourites - they are overwhelming favourites - but how they choose to shape this team. The squad itself points to transition and experimentation. Shreyas Iyer is set to lead the side, a notable development in India’s T20 setup after the previous cycle was built around different leadership voices. Around him is a squad that mixes proven international names with players still trying to convert franchise success into stable international roles. That is where this series becomes interesting. Ireland may not have India’s resources, but a short two-match series gives the home side a chance to pressure combinations before they fully settle. Talk of the town - No pre-match conversation can really overlook Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. The teenager’s selection has naturally dominated the build-up, and reports in the lead-up to the match have strongly suggested he is in contention for a debut. If he plays, the focus will immediately turn to how India use him. The reason this matters is not just the romance of a teenage debut. It affects India’s batting structure. If Sooryavanshi opens, someone like Sanju Samson or Abhishek Sharma may need to shift roles. If India keep experience at the top, the youngster may have to wait. Either way, his presence adds a layer of curiosity to a match India would otherwise approach as a straightforward away assignment. Ireland look to rise to the occasion - Ireland’s challenge is obvious - they have to beat a team that is better than them in almost every department. But T20 cricket still leaves room for ambushes, especially in conditions where the ball can move early, and the stronger side is still ironing out combinations. The first thing Ireland need is a Powerplay with the ball that actually dents India. If India get through the first six overs at or near par without losing multiple wickets, the game can quickly become a batting-depth contest that Ireland are unlikely to win. The hosts, therefore, need early swing, disciplined hard lengths and a willingness to keep the scoring rate in check rather than hunt miracle balls every over. Against a side with India’s batting range, containment can be as valuable as wickets in the first half of an innings. Their batting, too, has to be smarter than merely aggressive. India’s seamers will test the top order with pace and change-ups, and Ireland cannot afford a 30 for 3 type of start if they are chasing. Their best route is to stay in the game through the first ten overs, preserve wickets, and then target whichever Indian bowling combination looks least settled at the death. Form (Last 5 completed T20Is, recent first) - IRE - WLLWW | IND - WWWWL. The final word - This is the sort of fixture where India’s floor is still high enough to make them clear favourites even if one or two experiments misfire. They bat deeper, bowl better, and have more ways to recover from a bad phase. Ireland’s best chance is to turn the match into a Powerplay scrap, drag India into unfamiliar combinations, and then make the middle overs messy enough to keep the game alive. But over 20 overs, India should still have too much. The margin may depend on conditions and on whether their new-look batting order settles quickly, but the expectation remains the same - India start the series ahead, and Belfast is more likely to witness the beginning of a new Indian T20 subplot than a genuine upset. Who do you reckon will come out on top?