The Ireland cricket team made history in Belfast on Friday as they beat India for the first time in T20 by 34 runs.
It was a beautiful day for cricket in Stormont, and it was India that won the toss and decided to let Ireland bat first. It looked like a shrewd call as Ireland quickly fell to 51-4 in the top order. However, under the stewardship of Lorcan Tucker, Ireland was able to recover.
Captain Tucker scored 50 runs, and Gareth Delany was just behind him on 49 as they ended up setting India up for chasing a score of 182.
Ireland fielder Ben Calitz celebrates. Pic: Seb Daly/Sportsfile
India left out 15-year-old teen sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who was called up to the India squad for the first time after tearing some of the best bowlers apart during the Indian Premier League.
But it was the work of two Irish debutants that thwarted any Indian momentum as Matt Hollard and Jai Moondra inspired a huge attack that ended by bowling the World Number 1 reigning champions out for 148 with seven balls remaining.
Moondra took 2-25 while Hollard won the player of the match after bowling for 3-28.
Player of the match Ireland’s Matthew Hollard. Pic: Seb Daly/Sportsfile
‘I think we scraped through that game,’ Lorcan Tucker said at the post-match presentation ceremony. ‘We had some tough periods in it, but we stayed in it. And we were diligent, and we worked hard. And we were lucky to get the reward in the end.’
Meanwhile, debutant Hollard was over the moon after his player-of-the-match display. ‘In all honesty, I never expected this,’ Hollard said after the game. ‘I always knew I had it, but I never thought I’d make my debut against India.
‘It’s a dream come true. After that first ball, I turned to Harry [Tector] and said “The first one’s done”. And then when the ball went in the air, my heart just stopped for a moment. Really, really special.’
The moment history was made! 💚#BackingGreen | #IREvIND | #FáilteSolar pic.twitter.com/irDjNkEbK9
— Cricket Ireland (@cricketireland) June 26, 2026