In a series of shocking events, the Indian endured a horrible 2-0 T20I series loss against Ireland on Sunday, June 28 at the Stormont Cricket Ground in Belfast. Notably, it was the Irish team's first ever series win over the Men in Blue in T20Is. After the historic series win, Ireland skipper Lorcan Tucker revealed the key reason behind their victory against the reigning T20 World champions.
Lorcan Tucker reveals key reason behind Ireland's win over India
Appearing at the post-game ceremony, the Ireland captain Tucker said that their win over India was an outcome of disciplined bowling in the second innings despite poor batting performance in the first innings. With strict bowling, Ireland managed to restrict India at 153-9 and won the second T20I by a close margin of just one run.
"Our win over India was built on the way we bowled in the second innings. We kept them under pressure, didn't allow many boundaries, and closed out the game brilliantly against their big hitters. We'll look to adapt quickly again and build on that performance," said Tucker.
India's underwhelming performance in second T20I
While batting first, the Irish team managed to put 154 runs on the board, with Harry Tector being the top scorer of the side with his knock of 53 runs off 47 balls with the help of five fours and one six. Meanwhile, Benjamin Calitz managed to provide a decent finish with his quick fire cameo of 37 runs off just 23 balls, hitting three boundaries and two sixes.
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In the second innings, the Men in Blue endured a tough start with Jai Moondra removing the opening duo of Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson on golden ducks. Later on, Moondra managed to remove newly appointed skipper Shreyas Iyer on the score of 10 off seven balls. However, vice captain Tilak Varma managed to keep India in the chase with his rusty knock of 55 runs off 46 balls before losing his wicket off Matt Hollard's bowling.
Towards the end, Shivam Dube tried to chase the target with his mature but short knock of 20 runs off 16 deliveries but got out on Matthew Humphreys. Somehow, it looked that India could clinch the win and level the series, as Harshit Rana played a key cameo of 21 off 10 balls with the help of two fours and one six before losing out off Harry Tector's bowling.
What's next for India?
After the shameful 2-0 loss against Ireland the Shreyas Iyer-led side will gear themselves to lock horns against England in the five-game T20I series. The first game between England and India will take place on Wednesday, July 1 at the Banks Homes Riverside, Chester-Le-Street.