![Shreyas Iyer and Gautam Gambhir [Source: AFP]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1782668967042_Shreyas_Iyer_Gautam_Gambhir.jpg?type=hq)
Shreyas Iyer and Gautam Gambhir [Source: AFP]
Team India suffered a humiliating one-run defeat to Ireland in the second T20I of their two-match away series in Belfast. Chasing 155 runs for a win in the decider, the ‘Men in Blue’ fell agonizingly short of their target despite late fireworks from Harshit Rana and middle-overs anchoring job from vice-captain Tilak Varma.
The outcome also marked a new low for the Indian cricket team, as captain Shreyas Iyer ushered his new era for the national side on a dreadful note.
Gautam Gambhir, Shreyas Iyer headline end of Indian juggernaut
Team India lost its two-match T20I series in Ireland by a shambolic 0-2 margin. The outcome occurred mere a couple of months after the ‘Men in Blue’ lifted the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup in Ahmedabad, doing so under the leadership of Suryakumar Yadav.
With Shreyas Iyer getting appointed as new captain ahead of the Ireland tour, it also marked a disappointing start to his leadership career on his return to the format since December 2023.
The series defeat now marks a dark chapter for captain Iyer and head coach Gautam Gambhir, considering the outcome meant that the Indian team just registered its first-ever T20I series defeat since August 2023.
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Since losing a series in West Indies three years ago, Team India has recorded 16 successive series wins, which included two T20 World Cups (2024 and 2026) and an Asia Cup T20 title (2025). India’s unbeaten streak also included a ‘Gold medal’ at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou.
Gautam Gambhir served as India head coach in the second half of the streak, after taking over the role in mid-2024 after India’s tour of Zimbabwe. Meanwhile, Shreyas Iyer was appointed as new Indian captain in place of struggling Suryakumar Yadav last month.
Interestingly, India’s T20I series winning streak also began with a win over Ireland back in 2023, only to be ended by the same opponents three years later. Here is a look at the results of India’s last 17 T20I series.
- 2026 - Lost v Ireland (0-2)*
- 2026 - Won 2026 T20 World Cup
- 2026 - Won v New Zealand (4-1)
- 2025 - Won v South Africa (3-1)
- 2025 - Won v Australia (2-1)
- 2025 - Won 2025 Asia Cup
- 2025 - Won v England (4-1)
- 2024 - Won v South Africa (3-1)
- 2024 - Won v Bangladesh (3-0)
- 2024 - Won v Sri Lanka (3-0)
- 2024 - Won v Zimbabwe (4-1)
- 2024 - Won 2024 T20 World Cup
- 2024 - Won v Afghanistan (3-0)
- 2023 - Drawn v South Africa (1-1)
- 2023 - Won v Australia (4-1)
- 2023 - Won 2023 Asian Games
- 2023 - Won v Ireland (2-0)
Jai Moondra, Matt Hollard win it for Ireland
Ireland batted first and charted 154-8 from 20 overs. Harry Tector top-scored for the hosts with a regal 53, while Ben Calitz also made 37 off 23 balls.
In response, India lost both openers for ducks, and captain Shreyas Iyer made just 10 off 7 balls at number four. Slipping to 121-8, late fireworks from Harshit Rana entertained India’s chances, but they eventually lost the match by a run.
Jai Moondra and Matt Hollard picked up three wickets each in the innings as Ireland recorded a rare 2-0 sweep over the Gautam Gambhir-led T20 World Champions.
India to tour England for five T20Is
Team India, under captain Shreyas Iyer and coach Gautam Gambhir, will now tour England to play a five-match T20I series. The series will be played between July 1 and July 11 starting this coming week.
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