HIGHLIGHTS Ireland vs India, India in Ireland 2 T20I Series 2026, 1st T20- Result, Scorecard

We are back for the chase! The Ireland players are making their way out to the middle now. Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson are the two openers for India. Spin to start as Matthew Humphreys has the new ball in his hand. Here we go...

... THE RUN CHASE ...

Early dominance, untidy middle, late discipline - India made the perfect start as Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana combined to remove three batters early, before Shivam Dube struck with his very first ball on his 33rd birthday. However, they failed to capitalise as Ireland stitched together a significant partnership, with Rana returning to break it and finishing with career-best T20I figures of 3/24. While Prasidh Krishna endured a tough outing, conceding 57 runs, and Washington Sundar's lone over went for 19, Axar Patel excelled at the death, picking up two wickets and helping restrict the scoring. India were also let down by dropped catches from Dube and Abhishek Sharma, allowing Ireland to post a competitive total and setting up an intriguing chase. Join us in a bit for the second essay.

Fightback ends with frustration - Ireland's innings never quite got going after an overly aggressive start left them reeling at 30/3 inside the Powerplay and 51/4 soon after. Captain Lorcan Tucker steadied the ship with a fine fifty, adding 64 runs with Gareth Delany, before the latter shifted gears alongside George Dockrell. The duo smashed 46 runs across the 16th and 17th overs to revive the innings, but Ireland failed to capitalise. Delany fell for 49, and from 164/5, they suffered a late collapse to finish on 182/9, well short of what had looked possible.

Ireland leave runs on the table - It was a fighting batting display from Ireland, but they will feel they left runs out there after setting themselves up beautifully for the death overs. India, though, will be delighted with the way they closed out the innings, conceding just 18 runs in the final three overs to keep Ireland to 182/9. On what looks like an excellent batting surface, that disciplined finish could prove to be a crucial difference.

Axar Patel to Matthew Humphreys, 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.

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

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

Axar Patel to Matthew Humphreys, 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.

Axar Patel to Jai Moondra, 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.

Axar Patel to Liam McCarthy, 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.

Arshdeep Singh to Gareth Delany, 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 Singh to Gareth Delany, 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.

Arshdeep Singh to Liam McCarthy, 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.

Arshdeep Singh to Liam McCarthy, 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.

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

Arshdeep Singh to Gareth Delany, 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.

Axar Patel to Gareth Delany, Fuller and outside off, Delany punches it past point for a single.

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

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

Axar Patel to Liam McCarthy, 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.

Axar Patel to Liam McCarthy, 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.

Axar Patel to George Dockrell, 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.

Prasidh Krishna to Gareth Delany, 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.

Prasidh Krishna to Gareth Delany, 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.

Prasidh Krishna to Gareth Delany, 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.

Prasidh Krishna to Gareth Delany, 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.

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

Prasidh Krishna to George Dockrell, 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.

Washington Sundar to George Dockrell, 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.

Washington Sundar to Gareth Delany, Flat and short, on off, punched to long off for a single.

Washington Sundar to Gareth Delany, 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.

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

Washington Sundar to George Dockrell, 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.

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

Washington Sundar to George Dockrell, 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.

Washington Sundar to George Dockrell, 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.

Harshit Rana to George Dockrell, 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.

Harshit Rana to Gareth Delany, 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.

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

Harshit Rana to Lorcan Tucker, 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.

Harshit Rana to Lorcan Tucker, 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.

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

Harshit Rana to Gareth Delany, 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.

Shivam Dube to Lorcan Tucker, 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.

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

Shivam Dube to Lorcan Tucker, 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.

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

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

Shivam Dube to Gareth Delany, 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.

Axar Patel to Lorcan Tucker, 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!

Axar Patel to Lorcan Tucker, 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.

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

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

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

Axar Patel to Lorcan Tucker, 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.

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

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

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

Prasidh Krishna to Lorcan Tucker, 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.

Prasidh Krishna to Lorcan Tucker, 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.

Prasidh Krishna to Gareth Delany, 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.

Axar Patel to Gareth Delany, 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.

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

Axar Patel to Lorcan Tucker, 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.

Axar Patel to Lorcan Tucker, 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.

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

Axar Patel to Lorcan Tucker, 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.

Shivam Dube to Gareth Delany, 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.

Shivam Dube to Lorcan Tucker, 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.

Shivam Dube to Lorcan Tucker, 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.

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

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

Shivam Dube to Gareth Delany, 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.

Shivam Dube to Gareth Delany, 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.

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

Prasidh Krishna to Gareth Delany, 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.

Prasidh Krishna to Gareth Delany, 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.

Prasidh Krishna to Lorcan Tucker, 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.

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

Prasidh Krishna to Lorcan Tucker, 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.

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

Shivam Dube to Lorcan Tucker, 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.

Shivam Dube to Lorcan Tucker, At the stumps, a bit fuller. Lorcan defends it watchfully.

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

Shivam Dube to Gareth Delany, 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.

Shivam Dube to Ben Calitz, 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.

Prasidh Krishna to Ben Calitz, 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.

Prasidh Krishna to Ben Calitz, 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.

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

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

Prasidh Krishna to Ben Calitz, 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.

Prasidh Krishna to Ben Calitz, 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.

Harshit Rana to Lorcan Tucker, 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.

Harshit Rana to Lorcan Tucker, 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.

Harshit Rana to Ben Calitz, 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.

Harshit Rana to Ben Calitz, 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.

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

Harshit Rana to Lorcan Tucker, 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.

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

Third over in a row for Harshit Rana as well.

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

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

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

Arshdeep Singh to Lorcan Tucker, 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.

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

Arshdeep Singh to Lorcan Tucker, 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.

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

Harshit Rana to Ben Calitz, 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.

Harshit Rana to Tim Tector, 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.

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

Harshit Rana to Tim Tector, 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.

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

Harshit Rana to Tim Tector, 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.

Arshdeep Singh to Harry Tector, 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.

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

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

Arshdeep Singh to Tim Tector, 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!

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

Arshdeep Singh to Tim Tector, 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.

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

Harry Tector joins his brother Tim in the middle.

Harshit Rana to Ross Adair, 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.

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

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

Harshit Rana to Ross Adair, 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.

Harshit Rana to Ross Adair, 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.

Arshdeep Singh to Tim Tector, 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.

Arshdeep Singh to Ross Adair, 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.

Arshdeep Singh to Ross Adair, 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.

Arshdeep Singh to Ross Adair, 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.

Arshdeep Singh to Tim Tector, 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!

Arshdeep Singh to Tim Tector, 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?