IND vs IRE, 2nd T20I: Team India have well and truly been stunned as Ireland registered a historic T20I series win by defeating the reigning World Champions by one run on June 28, Sunday at the Civil Service Cricket Club, Stormont, Belfast. With a modest 155 for victory, Team India got off to another horrid start. Tilak Varma tried his best with 55, while Harshit Rana almost took their side over the line. Nevertheless, Ireland did just enough to close out the game successfully, winning by 1 run.
Here are the top turning moments from IND vs IRE, 2nd T20I in Belfast
3) Shivam Dube takes consecutive wickets to derail Ireland
Shivam Dube, who was brought in from his second over in the 13th, dismissed the dangerous Ben Calitz and Gareth Delany in consecutive deliveries to bring Team India back in the contest. Calitz had already slammed 37 off the 22 balls he faced and was on course for a big knock. Nevertheless, Dube’s twin strikes were welcome breakthroughs for the tourists that helped them limit the Irishmen to a seemingly gettable total.
2) Tilak Varma falls after his fighting fifty
When Shivam Dube perished in the 17th over of the innings, the onus was fully on Tilak Varma to get Team India home, given the left-hander was set on 49. He started the following over with a maximum to get to his half-century. However, Matt Hollard sent the southpaw packing the very next ball, delivering a decisive blow to Team India’s hopes. The same over also saw Suryansh Shedge perish as the momentum swung in Ireland’s favour comprehensively.
1) Harshit Rana almost carries Team India over the line
With 20 runs off the final six deliveries, Harshit Rana had given the visitors the sniff after smashing a four and six in the penultimate over. With Harry Tector bowling a no-ball, Rana had also rightfully cashed in to get a boundary off the free hit. He tried to go for a maximum in the penultimate delivery when India needed 8 off 2 only to be caught. Although Prince Yadav clobbered a maximum off the final delivery, Ireland were home.
Jai Moondra was crowned Player of the Match and the series.
