New Delhi: Ireland scripted history by winning their maiden T20I series against the reigning T20 world champions India on Sunday, June 28. Ireland defeated the Shreyas Iyer-led side by 1 run in the 2nd T20I in Belfast to take an unasailable 2-0 lead and clinch the three-match series. Ireland also brought an end to India’s 16-series unbeaten streak in T20Is.

It was yet another dismal batting display from India as the star-studded Men in Blue failed to chase down the target of 155 runs in 20 overs. Left-arm pacer Jai Moondra ran riot with the ball, continuing his impressive run from the last game, to wreak havoc on the Indian batting line-up. Moondra dismantled India’s top order with a three-wicket haul to set up a thrilling win for the hosts.

He removed the Indian openers, Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma, on ducks apiece before removing skipper Shreyas Iyer cheaply on 10 to finish with excellent figures of 3/32 off his 4 overs. He was well supported by Matthew Hollard, who also picked up a three-wicket haul in the game. The duo helped Ireland restrict India to 153/9 in 20 overs to clinch a 1-run win.

Ireland achieved a massive feat with their series victory as they ended India’s 16-series unbeaten streak in T20Is. India last lost a T20I series against West Indies in August 2023. They lost a five-match series 3-2. The Men in Blue were since unbeaten in a T20I series, including the two T20 World Cups in 2024 and 2026 and the Asia Cup last year.

India became the first team to win back-to-back T20 World Cup titles after clinching the T20 World Cup 2026 trophy earlier this year. Despite having led the team to their second consecutive title, Suryakumar Yadav was removed as captain in their first series after the tournament against Ireland. He was replaced by Shreyas Iyer, who has endured a disastrous start to his tenure as India’s T20I skipper.

Iyer has now become the first Indian skipper to lose a series against Ireland in any format of the game. He has also failed with the bat in both T20Is against the hosts so far, managing only 13 runs in the two games combined.