Debutant pacer Prince Yadav starred with a three-wicket haul as India produced a disciplined bowling performance to restrict Ireland to 154 for eight in the second and final T20I at the Civil Service Cricket Club in Belfast on Sunday. India now need 155 runs at a required rate of 7.75 to level the two-match series.
Early breakthroughs set the tone
Opting to bowl first after skipper Shreyas Iyer won the toss, India made early inroads. Opener Tim Tector (5) fell in the second over, miscuing a shot off Harshit Rana to mid-wicket. Ross Adair (16) was removed soon after by Arshdeep Singh, slicing a delivery to extra cover. At the end of the Powerplay, Ireland were placed at 44 for two.
Prince Yadav strikes in middle overs
Prince Yadav, making his international debut, continued the momentum in the middle overs by claiming his maiden T20I wicket. He dismissed Lorcan Tucker (15) caught behind to reduce Ireland to 48 for three. Harry Tector then steadied the innings, forming a crucial 65-run partnership with Benjamin Calitz (37 off 23 balls) as Ireland looked to rebuild.
Shivam Dube breaks the stand
The Irish duo briefly counterattacked, especially targeting debutant Suryansh Shedge, but India regained control through tight bowling. Shivam Dube (2/25 in three overs) made the breakthrough in the 15th over, first conceding a six before striking twice in quick succession to remove Calitz and Gareth Delany (0), halting Ireland's progress at a vital stage.
Harry Tector's fifty and late fireworks
Axar Patel maintained pressure with a tight spell of 0/28 in four overs, while Harry Tector anchored the innings with a composed half-century (53 off 47 balls) before being dismissed by Prince Yadav in the final over. The debutant then finished strongly, claiming another wicket by removing Liam McCarthy to return impressive figures of 3/22 in four overs. However, the Irish tail managed to push the total past the 150-mark before India struck twice in the final six deliveries to complete a disciplined bowling performance.
Series decider ahead
India will need 155 runs at a required run rate of 7.75 to level the series. The match is the second and final T20I between the two sides.
