article-image

Ireland hold on to claim famous series win over India

0
0
Clock Icon7 HoursCricket

Harry Tector's dramatic final over saw Ireland just about get over the line to complete a shock series whitewash over India.

Ireland claimed their first T20I win over India earlier this week, and followed it up with another victory in Belfast, winning by one run.

On his 100th cap, Tector was in the thick of the action, top scoring for Ireland with 53 runs as the hosts put up 154-8 from their 20 overs.

Ben Calitz (37) was the only other batter to get over 20 for Ireland, with Prince Yadav (3-22) leading India's charge with the ball.

Debutant Jai Moondra (3-32) got Ireland off to a perfect start as India's chase began with the loss of openers Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma for ducks in the first over.

Monndra struck again to send India captain Shreyas Iyer packing, but Tilak Varma plundered 55 to get India on course.

Matt Hollard (3-26), another Ireland debutant, got the vital wicket of Varma, but Harshit Rana came in to power India to within touching distance, though they still went into the final over needing 20 to win.

The nerves seemed to get to Tector, though, who bowled a wide to start the over, then saw Harshit edge for a boundary.

Another wide followed, and when Arshdeep Singh picked up a single, the tourists needed eight from two balls.

Yet a full toss from Tector drew an error from Harshit, who fell on 21 as his slog was caught by Tim Tector on the boundary, and even though Yadav came in and slammed a six off the final ball, the damage was already done.

More history for Ireland

It has arguably been the best weekend in Ireland's cricketing history, and they have snapped India's run of 16 successive T20I series wins.

Tector was at the heart of it, and even though he will likely be disappointed with his figures of 1-40, he just about got the job done.

Ireland were without five of their first-choice players, and Lorcan Tucker was blown away.

"Can't quite believe it, challenged the lads to show the world we could do it again, and we did it," said Ireland's captain.

"We came out with the same intent as the previous game. We showed that cricket can be simple and you don't need to complicate it. We have a lot of lads with very few caps but they showed great character. We are so lucky to have these games against India. It is a great time to be a professional cricket in Ireland."