Ireland secured a landmark series win over T20 world champions India in Belfast on Sunday with a tense one-run win after the tourists again denied teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi a debut.
The 15-year-old batting prodigy forced his way into the squad for the white-ball tours of Ireland and England following several stunning displays in the 20 overs per side Indian Premier League.
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Sooryavanshi emerged as the leading run-scorer in this season’s edition after amassing 776 runs for the Rajasthan Royals – a tally which included one century and five fifties.
But as had been the case in the first of a two-match series on Friday – when Ireland won by 34 runs for their first international men’s win over India in any format – the rising star was left out.
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Harry Tector marked his 100th T20 international appearance with a fine fifty as Ireland recovered from a slow start to post 8-154 at Stormont.
India-born Jai Moondra — who struck with his first ball in international cricket on Friday — had Sanju Samson lbw off the first ball of India’s chase.
He also dismissed Abhishek Sharma in the same over before soon removing India captain Shreyas Iyer.
India did regroup after a rain delay, with Tilak Varma making 55 and Harshit Rana 21 late on but that wasn’t enough as they finished on 9-153.
Sooryavanshi’s next chance to make an international debut will come in Wednesday’s first T20 against England at Chester-le-Street, the headquarters of county side Durham
“It was pretty special, credit to the lads, we scraped through the game, we were diligent and got our rewards,” Tucker told TNT Sports.
“The debutants were really dogged, showed their skill and accuracy and made it challenging for their batters.
“Series win against India at home would be so special, and the boys are mustard keen to get back out there again.”