Defending T20 champions Team India’s transition under Shreyas Iyer has got off to a humiliating start after they suffered a shocking 0-2 whitewash against Ireland, away from home. Mere days after their 34-run loss in the series opener, the Men in Blue have only been able to follow up with a one-run loss in the second T20I in Belfast, on Sunday, June 28.
Team India have been one of the most dominant T20I teams, in both bilateral and multi-nation tournaments. When it comes to bilateral affairs, this is only their third series loss since 2020. Prior to the tour of Ireland, the three-time T20 World Cup winners had not suffered a series loss on 14 consecutive occasions.
Their last series loss in the format came during the tour of the West Indies in August 2023, where they lost the five-match series by a 2-3 margin. On that occasion, Team India had suffered a narrow four-run loss in the series opener in Tarouba, and quickly slumped to a 0-2 deficit after a two-wicket loss, a couple of days later.
Team India clawed their way back into the series with consecutive convincing wins. With the series level at 2-2, it was all to play for in the series decider in Lauderhill in the United States of America (USA). However, the visitors could not make a strong case in the do-or-die clash by posting 165-9 on the board. West Indies secured the series win by chasing down the target with two overs to spare.
Team India’s late charge proves to be futile as Ireland register historic success
The Men in Blue tried their hardest to avoid humiliation even after their batting order did not respond with a charge while attempting to chase down the 155-run target. Ireland set the tempo early by dismissing both openers for a duck and putting some serious pressure in the run chase.
Team India were left to chase down 44 runs off the final three overs, and although Harshit Rana kept the team alive with some timely blows, they fell narrowly short. With eight needed off the last ball, debutant Prince Yadav struck a six, as India finished with 153-9 in the end.
Edited by Gokul Nair