Ireland stun India by 34 runs in 1st T20I as Shreyas era begins with defeat

India’s new T20I captain Shreyas Iyer suffered defeat in his first match as Ireland registered a historic win in Belfast.

Post Published By: Rohit Goyal

Updated : 26 June 2026, 9:42 PM IST

IND vs IRE

New Delhi: India’s new era in T20I cricket began on a disappointing note as Shreyas Iyer’s side suffered a 34-run defeat against Ireland in the opening match of the two-game series at the Civil Service Cricket Club in Belfast on Friday.

Ireland, led by Lorcan Tucker, produced a strong all-round performance to stun the world champions. Batting first, Ireland posted 182/9 in 20 overs, with Tucker playing a crucial knock to guide the hosts to a competitive total.

In reply, India failed to build meaningful partnerships and were bowled out for 148 in 18.5 overs. The Indian batting unit struggled under pressure as Ireland’s bowlers kept picking wickets at regular intervals.

The match also marked the beginning of Shreyas Iyer’s captaincy stint in India’s T20I setup. However, his first outing as captain ended in defeat, raising questions over India’s approach and execution in seam-friendly Belfast conditions.

Teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who was in focus ahead of the match, did not make his international debut in the opening T20I. The team management opted for a more balanced playing combination.

With this win, Ireland created a major upset and took a 1-0 lead in the two-match series. India will now look to bounce back in the second T20I and avoid a series defeat.