By Admin 
Ireland defeated India by 34 runs in the first T20, ensuring the hosts would not lose the series. This is the first time since December 2023 that India has not won any T20 series. Both India’s batsmen and bowlers disappointed in the match played in Belfast on Friday. Know what Shreyas Iyer, who is playing his first match as captain, said after this shameful defeat.
Shreyas Iyer said, “In the beginning, our bowlers were bowling brilliantly. In the middle overs, we were not able to implement our plan properly. We allowed the Irish batsmen to easily hit shots in the direction where the boundaries were small. The way the bowling started, I thought a score of 140 would be good for the chase.” He laughingly said that it was a good start as captain.
‘Don’t take anyone lightly’
Shreyas Iyer further said, “Definitely our team will forget the past and move ahead. We will learn a lot from this match. We will enter the second T20 with full strength. The fast bowlers were getting help in the beginning and Shivam Dubey bowls important overs, so I always have faith in him. Harshit Rana, returning from injury, bowled brilliantly.”
Giving a message to his team, the captain said, “You cannot take anything lightly. You have to come out on the field and work hard and live in the present. If you get a chance to put pressure on the team in front, you have to take advantage of it.”
Also read- 3 big reasons for India’s defeat, know why and how the reign against Ireland ended
Matthew Hollard becomes POTM
In this historic victory of Ireland, Matthew Hollard won the Player of the Match award, who took 3 important wickets in his 4 overs. He dismissed Ishan Kishan (1), Shreyas Iyer (3) and Washington Sundar (9). Chasing the target of 183 given by Ireland, the Indian team collapsed to 148.