NEW DELHI: India’s reign as T20 World Cup champions got off to the worst possible start on Friday as Ireland registered a stunning 34-run victory in Belfast, extending one of the most bizarre trends in international cricket.The defeat meant India became the latest men’s T20 World Cup winners to lose the first T20 international they played after lifting the trophy.The strange sequence started with England, who won the T20 World Cup 2022 but suffered a defeat against Bangladesh in their first T20I after becoming world champions. India followed the same unwanted path after winning the 2024 title, losing to Zimbabwe in Harare in their first appearance as world champions.Now, after defending their crown in 2026, India have stumbled at the first hurdle again, this time against an inspired Irish side who were celebrating their first win over India in any format.The result also marked a disappointing start to Shreyas Iyer’s reign as India’s new T20I captain.
Ireland makes history with a versatile display
If there was any pressure on Ireland against the back-to-back world champions, it never showed.Captain Lorcan Tucker led from the front with a moderate 50 from 36 balls, while Gareth Delany narrowly missed out on a half-century with a scintillating 49 from 32 deliveries as Ireland brilliantly recovered from 51 for 4 to post a competitive 182 for 9 after being asked to bat.Earlier, Indian pacers dominated the opening exchanges. Harshit Rana took 3 for 24, while Arshdeep Singh and Axar Patel claimed two wickets each.However, Tucker and Delany restored the innings before late contributions ensured Ireland finished with a total that proved well above par.
Debutants shine as India crumble
The Irish bowlers then produced one of the best performances in the team’s T20I history.Debutants Jai Moondra (2/26) and Matt Hollard (3/28) announced themselves in spectacular fashion, combining for five wickets while conceding just 54 runs through their eight overs.Matthew Humphreys (3/38) added another inspirational chapter bowling through an injured arm to take three crucial wickets.India’s chase never gained any real momentum despite Abhishek Sharma’s explosive 50 and Shivam Dube’s 25. Wickets fell at regular intervals as the visitors piled up 148 in 18.5 overs.The win was Ireland’s first over India in all international formats and one of the biggest results in the nation’s cricketing history.For India, meanwhile, the defeat extended an outstanding record. The three consecutive men’s T20 World Cup champions have now lost the very next T20I they played after becoming world champions.
