Ireland in dreamland after historic victory over T20 world champions India as fast bowler Matthew Hollard admits he 'stopped breathing for a minute'
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Published 26/06/2026 at 19:31 GMT+1
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Ireland debutant Matthew Hollard admitted he struggled to fully comprehend the scale of the achievement after back-to-back T20 World Cup champions India were beaten in Belfast in the first of their two-match series.
'It's still a bit of a dream' - Hollard reacts after inspiring Ireland to first win against India
Video credit: TNT Sports
The seismic triumph in the first of the two-match series was sealed in unforgettable fashion as Arshdeep Singh launched a Matthew Humphreys delivery high into the sky, only for Tim Tector to settle beneath it and complete the decisive catch.
Before Friday, India had won all eight of their previous meetings with Ireland, but Lorcan Tucker's side produced a composed and clinical display to rewrite the record books in the opening match of the Spinny Cup.
After posting 182-9, Ireland's bowlers dismantled the visitors, dismissing Shreyas Iyer's side for 148 to secure a famous 34-run victory, in a match that was shown live on TNT Sports and HBO Max.
It marked Ireland's first ever win over one of world cricket's traditional powerhouses - a landmark moment for the national team and a result that will live long in the memory of Irish cricket fans.
Hollard, who grew up in South Africa, was named player of the match after producing an impressive spell, returning figures of 3 for 28 as he dismantled India's top order. He accounted for Ishan Kishan (1), Iyer (3), and Washington Sundar (9), applying sustained pressure that helped set the tone for the innings.
After Ireland sealed their historic success, the right-arm medium fast bowler told TNT Sports: "I never expected this, to have a debut against India it's a dream come true, and I couldn't ask for anything better. My family have come out from Johannesburg to support me.
"I've been wanting to come over to Ireland since 2019, but then Covid happened and there were a lot of setbacks. My brother came first and said I had to come, so I did, and Cricket Ireland have been unbelievable with me."
On his first wicket to dismiss Kishan, Hollard added: "When the ball went up in the air, I stopped breathing for a minute, but as soon as Lorcan took it all the emotions just exploded out of me. It was really, really special."
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'It would be pretty special' - Tucker sets his sights on series win against India
Video credit: TNT Sports
All eyes were on Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, but India opted against playing the 15-year-old as he was made to wait for his much anticipated senior debut.
Ireland captain Tucker led from the front with a superb 50 from 36 deliveries, including two sixes, before combining with Gareth Delany for a match-defining fifth-wicket stand of 64. Delany's explosive 49 from just 32 balls helped propel Ireland to a challenging total of 182.
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The innings had begun in difficult fashion as Harshit Rana and Singh ripped through the top order. Tim Tector fell for 17, Ross Adair managed 12, and Harry Tector departed for a three-ball duck, leaving Ireland reeling at 30 for 3 inside the opening four overs.
From that precarious position, Tucker and Delany steadied the innings before launching the counter-attack that ultimately laid the foundation for one of the greatest victories in Irish cricket history.
Tucker told TNT Sports: "It was pretty special, credit to the lads, we scrapped through the game, we were diligent and got our rewards.
"The debutants were really dogged, showed their skill and accuracy and made it challenging for their batters.
"A series win against India at home would be so special and the boys are mustard-keen to get back out there again."
Abhishek Sharma mounted India's lone serious resistance with a blistering 49 from just 20 deliveries, striking seven fours and two sixes to briefly keep the chase alive.
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'History created' - Ireland beat India for first time in any format
Video credit: TNT Sports
However, his dismissal proved the decisive turning point. Sharma was caught by Ben Calitz in the deep off the bowling of Liam McCarthy with India on 80 for 4, and the visitors never regained momentum.
Humphreys then put the finishing touches on a landmark Irish triumph. The left-arm spinner returned figures of 3 for 38 and claimed the final two wickets in the penultimate over, dismissing Harshit Rana for eight and Singh for two.
The second T20I takes place this Sunday, 28 June - again at Stormont Cricket Ground in Belfast - at 1.30pm, live on TNT Sports and HBO Max.
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'It can't get better than this' - Moondra takes wicket with first delivery on international debut
Video credit: TNT Sports
How to watch Ireland v India on TNT Sports and HBO Max
The two-match T20I series between Ireland and India will be shown live on TNT Sports and HBO Max in the UK.
Both games will be played at The Stormont Cricket Ground in Belfast, with the first match beginning at 13:30 on Friday, June 26, with coverage starting on TNT Sports 1 and HBO Max from 13:15.
The second match will be played two days later at the same venue on Sunday, June 28, with coverage starting on TNT Sports 4 and HBO Max from 13:15, and the match beginning at 13:30.
For the latest information on the dates and timings of cricket matches on TNT Sports and HBO Max, click here.
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