India were outclassed by Ireland in the series opener in Belfast.
India suffered a shocking 34-run defeat against Ireland in the first T20I of the two-match series at the Civil Service Cricket Club in Belfast on Friday (June 26). This turned out to be the first win for the Irish team against the Men in Blue across formats.
Ireland captain Lorcan Tucker hit a crucial 50 off 36 balls, while Gareth Delany smashed a quickfire 49 off 32 balls, driving their team to a competitive 182/9 after the hosts were reduced to 30/3 inside the powerplay.
India's response collapsed completely despite a fiery half-century by opener Abhishek Sharma, who scored 50 runs off just 20 balls. The remainder of the batting order crumbled under pressure, leaving the visitors all out for 148 in 18.5 overs.
Addressing the media after the game, Abhishek attributed India's loss in the series opener to the team's inability to adjust quickly to the playing conditions.
"It's just how quickly we adapt the conditions, that's really matters as a team, because when you are playing back to back games, as a group you have to step forward and get used to the conditions, whenever you get practice sessions or probably get used to, I feel as a dominating team, you have to adapt really quick and that's what we were trying today, but unfortunately it didn't happen," the southpaw told reporters.
Speaking during the post-match presentation, India’s new T20I skipper Shreyas Iyer acknowledged that there was rustiness but expressed confidence in his team’s ability to bounce back in the next game.
"Yes, definitely. We’re going to forget what’s happened. Definitely a lot to learn from this game and see to it that we come out in the next game all guns blazing," Iyer said.
This outcome leaves Ireland just one victory away from a historic series triumph over one of world cricket's powerhouse nations. The series-deciding second T20I will be played at the same venue on Sunday (June 28).