‘Playing stick cricket?,’ sparks fire between Harshit Rana, Ben Calitz:IND pacer sits dejected on-field after historic loss, Prince Yadav’s fierce send-off

Ireland defeated India by just 1 run to win the second T20I of the two-match series in Belfast on 28 June. With this result, Ireland, for the first time in cricket history, have a 2-0 whitewash over India, a team whose last assignment in the format was winning the T20 World Cup title. Needing 155 runs to win in order to avoid a clean sweep, India’s batting faltered once again as they were restricted to 153/9 by Ireland. Jai Moondra, who hails from Rajasthan, was the star of the show for Ireland with a three-wicket haul, while Matthew Hollard also took a three-fer. From Ross Adair’s direct hit to Harshit Rana and Ben Calitz’s tense exchange, let’s have a look at some top moments. India vs Ireland 2nd T20I Top Moments 1) ‘You think you’re playing stick cricket?,’ Harshit Rana to Ben Calitz Harshit Rana was involved in a tense showdown with Ireland’s Ben Calitz in the match. This happened in the 14th over of the first innings when the left-handed Calitz shuffled to the off-side and attempted to hit a short ball but missed. Harshit, in his follow-through, asked Calitz, “You think you’re playing stick cricket?” with their conversation caught on the stump microphone. Calitz immediately responded with a challenge. “Stick cricket? stick cricket? Pitch it up then.” Rana then bowled a pitched-up delivery, which was only hit for a single, leaving the Indian bowler smiling. 2) Prince Yadav’s angry send-off to Lorcan Tucker Prince Yadav was fired up after taking his maiden T20I wicket. Handed his debut for the series finale, Prince got the big wicket of Ireland captain Lorcan Tucker in the third over after the right-hander attempted a big shot on the leg-side but got an outside edge. After the catch was taken by Ishan Kishan, Yadav let out a roar and gave an angry send-off to the Ireland skipper, who had to depart for 15. 3) Ishan Kishan and Tilak Varma’s bizarre mix-up The second innings of the match witnessed a bizarre mix-up between Ishan Kishan and Tilak Varma, resulting in the former’s run out. This happened in the fifth over of the chase when Tilak hit the ball to backward point. Ishan, at the non-striker’s end, rushed forward to complete a single but was denied by Tilak. He was halfway down the pitch when Ireland’s Ross Adair picked up the ball and unleashed a bullet throw, which saw the wicketkeeper-batter being run out. 4) Jai Moondra dismisses Sanju Samson in ‘déjà vu’ moment It was a deja vu moment for Jai Moondra, who dismissed Sanju Samson with his first ball for a second consecutive match. In the first match, which was his debut, he had Samson bowled off an inside-edge. In the second T20I, he trapped Samson LBW and although the Indian opener took the DRS, it showed three reds. 5) Harshit Rana sits dejected on the pitch after his dismissal Harshit Rana sat dejected on the pitch after he was dismissed in the last over of the innings. Rana smashed 21 runs off 10 balls and kept India alive in the chase, but was caught in the deep off Harry Tector’s bowling in the final over of the match. After his catch was taken by Tim Tector, Rana sat dejected on the pitch before walking off and leaving the field. 6) Matthew Hollard’s sensational judgement to take catch Matthew Hollard, playing just his second T20I, showcased sensational judgement to take a splendid catch that removed Abhishek Sharma for a first-ball duck. This happened in the third over of the chase when Abhishek attempted a big shot. But instead, he got a big top-edge and Hollard, at third man, kept his eyes on the ball and took a tough catch. India vs Ireland 2nd T20I Top Records 1. Abhishek got out for a duck 6 times in a year Abhishek Sharma has become the Indian batsman to be dismissed for a duck the most times in a year in T20s. This year, against Ireland, he was dismissed for a duck for the sixth time. In this regard, Pakistan’s Saim Ayub is in first place. He was dismissed for a duck 7 times in 2025. 2. India lost a T20 series after 3 years This is India’s first loss in a T20 series between 2023 and 2026. The team lost after 16 consecutive series. Before them, Pakistan had lost after winning 11 consecutive T20 series between 2016 and 2018. 3. India lost by 1 run for the third time in T20s India has lost by 1 run for the third time in T20s. Before this, the team had lost by 1 run to New Zealand in 2012 and to the West Indies in 2016.