Ireland head coach Malan steps down after historic 2-0 series win vs India

Ireland men's cricket team's head coach Heinrich Malan has decided to step down from the role after the historic 2-0 series win over reigning T20 World Cup champions India at home.

Malan took over the role in 2022. He helped Ireland earn three T20 World Cup qualifications in a row. Under his tenure, Ireland won three Tests as well. Ireland have also beaten Pakistan, West Indies and South Africa in the T20Is with him at the helm of things. In 2022 T20 World Cup, Ireland had got the better of England too. Malan has thanked the players, coaches and staff for their support. He feels it is the right time to step away.

"On the field, we can look back with great pride on our historic T20 World Cup victory against England in Melbourne, our first-ever Test victory against Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi, the first home Test win vs Zimbabwe in Belfast, the historic T20 series win at home vs India and beating Pakistan, West Indies, South Africa as well as direct qualifications for T20 WC’s through our consistent ability to challenge and beat the world’s top teams," Malan said in an official statement. 

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Why Malan left the Ireland head coach role job?

Malan's current contract wasn't up for renewal until early 2027. But, he took the decision to allow the new head coach to take over before the ODI series against Afghanistan in August. He believes that it will help them prepare well for the ODI World Cup 2027 qualifiers that will be held in early 2027.

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11th-placed Ireland stun India 

On June 28, Ireland beat India by just one run in Belfast. Debutant Prince Yadav's three-fer helped visitors restrict Ireland to 145/8 despite Harry Tector's patient half-century and Benjami Calitz's cameo.

In the first over, left-arm pacer Jai Moondra dismissed both openers Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma for golden ducks. Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer were dismissed cheaply as well. Tilak Varma lacked support fron the other end in the run chase. With his wicket in the 18th over, it was a daunting task. Debutant Suryansh Shedge failed and Harshit Rana's 10-ball 21 wasn't enough to take India over the line. India lost their first ever T20I series to Ireland.