India aim to level the series at Stormont after a historic Ireland defeat
Beaten by Ireland for the first time ever, Shreyas Iyer’s new-look India must win the second T20I at Stormont to avoid losing the two-match series.
Jun 28, 2026
India return to Stormont on Sunday with no room left for error. Beaten by Ireland for the first time in their history on Friday, Shreyas Iyer’s side must win the second and final T20I to square the two-match series. Play begins at 6:00 PM IST.
How Ireland pulled off a first
Ireland’s 34-run win in Belfast was their first over India in international cricket, arriving at the ninth time of asking after eight previous defeats. Batting first, they posted 182 for 9, with new captain Lorcan Tucker leading the recovery through a half-century. India’s chase started briskly, Abhishek Sharma racing to 49 as the top order reached 68 for 3 inside the powerplay, but the innings unravelled from there and they were bowled out for 148 with seven balls to spare. Debutant Matt Hollard did the damage with 3 for 28, removing Ishan Kishan in his first over and Iyer in his second on the way to the player-of-the-match award.
A new-look India under Iyer
The loss came in the opening match of a new chapter. Iyer has taken over the T20I captaincy from Suryakumar Yadav, who was left out of the squad altogether after leading India to the T20 World Cup title earlier this year, with Tilak Varma installed as his deputy. Iyer’s leadership was under the microscope from the off, his bowling changes in the middle overs questioned as Ireland wrestled the momentum back. Another defeat would hand Ireland a maiden series win over India and snap a long unbeaten run in bilateral T20I series for the tourists.
What India must fix
The batting collapse is the obvious place to start. Losing their last seven wickets for 80 runs after such a fast start points to a middle order that lost its bearings against disciplined Irish bowling on a pitch offering a little extra bounce. India have the talent to put it right in a single game, but Ireland, riding the biggest result in their cricketing history, will fancy their chances of completing the job in front of a home crowd.