The Men in Blue India were given a brutal reality check as the reigning two-time champions suffered an embarrassing 34-run loss to hosts Ireland in Belfast. Ireland showed great character and resolve to beat India for the first time in T20Is after 8 failed attempts. The Irish deserve credit and congratulations, but the same cannot be said for India. They were rusty, awful and complacent, and that cost them the game. There were many areas where India was found wanting, and we will list them here.
Losing the plot after a power play, especially at the backend, hurt India badly
It was India under Shreyas Iyer who won the toss and elected to bowl first. India did well in the power play to pick up 3 wickets and kept Ireland down to 36 to keep a stranglehold of the game. But they lost the plot a little bit in the middle phase and more so at the end overs. While new ball bowlers Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana were excellent, with Shivam Dube also bowling well, the support cast left a lot to be desired.
India managed to chip away at the wickets, but they couldn’t stop the Lorcan Tucker-Gareth Delany stand and then Delany-George Dockrell as well, and Ireland had a great finish to the innings. The main turning point came with the ball in hand towards the end, as India conceded 46 runs in 2 overs at the end, which catapulted the Irish score. First, Washington Sundar came into the attack, and his only over went for 19 runs. Thereafter, Prasidh Krishna had a bad day with the ball in hand. He went for 27 runs in his final over, which was the 17th, which included 3 towering sixes in the end.
This meant that India had conceded 46 runs in 2 overs, and that meant the final score was over par. Had India controlled those two overs and given away say 20 runs, then the Irish score would have been 26 less, and it would have been a 160 chase, and we would be talking something else right now. These little things matter in T20 cricket, and India needs to work on this and get back to the drawing board if they wish to level the series 1-1.
Sloppiness in the field dropping three catches hurt India yet again
Catching has been a problem for India in the UK lately, whether it is the Women’s Team under the spotlight already or now the Men’s Team in Belfast. India dropped three catches, with Shivam Dube dropping the first catch, which was a tad tough, but should have been taken. Then, Delany was dropped by Abhishek Sharma, who dropped a dolly as Axar Patel should have removed him for a low score. Instead, he made 49. Thereafter, Washington Sundar dropped a tough chance at wide long-on running in.
Catches win matches, as the old cliche goes, and India were found wanting at Belfast. They did not look like they switched on for the contest. Yes, Krishna picked out a good catch off Dube, but it was few and far between. The ground fielding was tardy as well, as they let a few go, and there were loads of misfields in the deep. It allowed extra runs and release of pressure for the Irish as India made too many unforced errors on the field.
India needs to sharpen up their skills and fielding as well if they want to bounce back and salvage the series 1-1. Or else, a series defeat could happen to the Men in Blue. This defeat should be kept as a wake-up call for the team and something that should kick their backside and make them switch on for the next game. These types of defeats are not justifiable at all if we are being brutally honest about it.
Total batting failure and capitulation, barring Abhishek Sharma, expose India
India indeed conceded extra runs towards the end, but 183 on that pitch with the batting line-up India has was gettable. All it needed was careful planning and execution, and playing to the potential. But it was anything but that for the Indians with the bat in hand. Barring Abhishek Sharma, who was swashbuckling for his half-century, the others left a lot to be desired. There was no real support for the southpaw as he saw wickets fall at the other end with regular intervals.
Sanju Samson fell in the second over, while Ishan Kishan followed suit as well. Even captain Shreyas Iyer fell inside the power play as all the aforementioned players went for single-digit scores to put the pressure on India. There were no real partnerships as wickets were lost at regular intervals. Tilak got 19 but gave his wicket away. Shivam Dube played a defiant knock, but he too fell under pressure. The rest flattered to deceive. It was an abysmal performance from the Indian batting group.
The shot selection was questionable, and the overall attitude of the team as they took the Irish side was very likely from the outset. It’s back to the drawing board for India as they need to look at what else they can do to improve this batting performance. They have the talent and skill, but mentally, they were not there. If India wants to end the Irish leg 1-1 after 2 matches, then the batting has to improve by leaps and bounds to challenge a dogged Irish side.
What Lies Ahead
So, Ireland leads the series 1-0 in the 2-match series. The second and final match of the series takes place at Belfast on Sunday, 28th June, 2026, from 6 PM IST. Will India be able to bounce back and level the series 1-1? Or will Ireland create history and sweep and win the series 2-0? We shall find that answer out on Super Sunday.
Also Read:Â IRE vs IND: India Clinches T20I Series Against Ireland With One Match To Go