Ireland created history on Sunday by defeating India by one run in the second T20 International at Stormont, completing a memorable 2-0 series victory. It is Ireland's first-ever bilateral T20I series win against India and one of the biggest achievements in the country's cricket history.

Defending a total of 154 for 8, the home side held their nerve in a tense finish at the Civil Service Cricket Club. Tilak Varma fought hard with a patient 55, but India fell just short despite a late push.

The series defeat also brought an end to India's impressive run of 16 consecutive T20I series victories. Ireland's success was even more remarkable as they were without several first-choice players but still managed to outplay India in both matches.

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Young pacer Jai Moondra starred with the new ball, while Matthew Hollard continued his fine form with the ball. The pair claimed three wickets each and played a key role in restricting India throughout the series. For the visitors, the defeat exposed familiar problems, especially against left-arm pace and on pitches that offered more help to bowlers than the batting-friendly surfaces seen in the IPL.

India's chase could not have started worse. Sanju Samson was trapped lbw by Jai Moondra off the very first ball of the innings. Three deliveries later, Abhishek Sharma also departed for a first-ball duck after mistiming a pull shot.

The early damage did not stop there. Captain Shreyas Iyer was bowled for 10 after dragging the ball back onto his stumps, leaving India under serious pressure. Ishan Kishan tried to rebuild with Tilak Varma, but a misunderstanding between the two batters resulted in Kishan being run out for 12.

At 39 for 4 inside the Powerplay, India were in deep trouble. It was one of their poorest starts in T20 Internationals, and Ireland had complete control of the contest.

Tilak Varma remained calm despite the collapse around him. He found the boundaries at regular intervals and added useful runs with Axar Patel to keep India's hopes alive. A brief rain delay interrupted play, but once the match resumed, the visitors continued to fight.

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Ireland struck again when Matthew Hollard dismissed Axar Patel. Wicketkeeper Lorcan Tucker produced a brilliant one-handed diving catch to remove the all-rounder and give Ireland another breakthrough.

Shivam Dube looked dangerous for a short period and hit a couple of boundaries before being caught in the deep. Tilak, meanwhile, reached his half-century in 45 balls with India's first six of the innings. However, his stay ended immediately after as he mistimed an attacking shot and was caught at extra cover.

Debutant Suryansh Shedge also failed to clear the boundary and was dismissed soon after, leaving India with too much to do in the closing overs.

Harshit Rana kept the chase alive with some fearless hitting. He struck Jai Moondra for a boundary and a six before taking the game into the final over. India needed 20 runs from the last six balls. Rana collected a boundary from a free hit and Ireland also conceded two wides, giving the visitors a small chance.

But George Dockrell, entrusted with the final over, held his nerve. Rana was caught at long-on while attempting another big shot, effectively ending India's hopes. Prince Yadav hit a six off the final ball, but it only reduced the margin of defeat as Ireland celebrated a famous one-run victory.

Brief Scores

Ireland 154/8 in 20 overs (Harry Tector 53, Ben Calitz 37; Prince Yadav 3-22, Shivam Dube 2-25) beat India 153/9 in 20 overs (Tilak Varma 55, Harshit Rana 21; Matthew Hollard 3-26, Jai Moondra 3-32) by one run