Team India were made to regret a costly dropped catch as Gareth Delany launched a stunning counterattack to help Ireland post a competitive total in the first T20I in Belfast. The turning point came in the 17th over, when Delany took apart Indian pacer Prasidh Krishna, smashing 27 runs in a single over to swing the momentum firmly in Ireland’s favour.

George Dockrell got the over off to a flying start by driving the first ball to the boundary before rotating the strike. Delany then took control, hammering a four off the third delivery before unleashing three towering sixes and another boundary. The explosive over yielded 27 runs, making it the most expensive over bowled by an Indian in the match and giving Ireland the late-innings acceleration they desperately needed.

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Prasidh Krishna endured a difficult outing, finishing with figures of 0/57 from his four overs. His expensive spell proved costly as Ireland recovered brilliantly after a shaky start. At one stage, the hosts were reeling at 51/4 in just 7.1 overs, but an impressive middle-order fightback transformed the innings and lifted them to a challenging 182/9 in their allotted 20 overs.

27 RUNS FROM THE PRASIDH KRISHNA OVER. 🤯 pic.twitter.com/eAs0swUCAk

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) June 26, 2026

A tough return to T20Is for Prasidh Krishna!

🔴 His 27-run over is now the most expensive by an Indian bowler against Ireland in T20Is

🔴 He’s also conceded 125 runs across his last two T20Is, the most by a bowler in two successive T20Is#IREvIND pic.twitter.com/Sfgm99cTYn

— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) June 26, 2026

Captain Lorcan Tucker led the rescue act with a composed half-century, scoring 50 from 36 deliveries. He found an ideal partner in Gareth Delany, whose aggressive 49 off just 32 balls fell agonisingly short of a deserved fifty. Their crucial partnership shifted the momentum completely, putting India’s bowling attack under sustained pressure during the death overs.

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Ireland’s total of 182/9 also created history. According to Cricbuzz, it is the second-highest T20I score Ireland have posted against India, surpassed only by their memorable 221/5 at Malahide in 2022, when they nearly chased down a target of 225. After a poor start, Ireland’s remarkable recovery ensured India would have to produce a strong batting display to begin the series with a victory.