The India vs Ireland T20I history began with their first-ever meeting at the ICC T20 World Cup at Trent Bridge in Nottingham in 2009.
Under the leadership of Mahendra Singh Dhoni, India defeated Ireland by eight wickets in their Group A clash in the ICC World T20 2009.
Since then, Ireland have hosted India twice in a two-match T20I series in 2018 and 2022.
The Indian cricket team has never lost a T20 international against Ireland. The Men in Blue have won all their five matches against the Irish so far.
Both sides have registered numerous records during their battles and here we take a closer look at some of those India vs Ireland T20I records and stats.
India vs Ireland T20I records and stats
Highest team total
The Indian cricket team holds the record for the highest team total in India vs Ireland T20Is. During the second T20I of India’s tour of Ireland in 2022, the Hardik Pandya-led Men in Blue posted 225/7 in their 20 overs. Electing to bat first, India rode on Deepak Hooda’s maiden T20I hundred (104) and Sanju Samson’s 42-ball 77 to record a mammoth total at the Malahide Cricket Club Ground in Dublin. In reply, Ireland managed 221/5 in their allotted overs as they fell short by just four runs. With the win, India clinched the two-match T20I series 2-0.
Lowest team total
The Ireland cricket team registered the lowest team total in India vs Ireland T20 internationals. Chasing 214, Ireland were bowled out for 70 in 12.3 overs during the second T20I of India’s tour of Ireland in 2018. Captain Gary Wilson top-scored for Ireland with 15. For India, Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav bagged three wickets each. Earlier, KL Rahul (70) and Suresh Raina (69) powered India to 213/4 in their 20 overs. India won the match by 143 runs and claimed the two-match T20I series 2-0.
Most runs
Deepak Hooda has scored the most runs in India vs Ireland T20Is. The swashbuckling batter has amassed 151 runs in two matches at an average of 151 and an impressive strike rate of 175.58. Hooda also smashed his maiden T20 international hundred against Ireland in 2022. For Ireland, Harry Tector has the most runs in his T20I fixture, having scored 103 runs in two matches.
Most wickets
India’s Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal have picked the most wickets in this T20I fixture. While left-arm chinaman Kuldeep has scalped seven T20I wickets against Ireland at an economy of 5.69, leg-spinner Chahal has also bagged the same number of T20I wickets against the same opposition at an economy of 6.36. For Ireland, Peter Chase has the most wickets in his T20I fixture, having claimed five wickets in two matches.
Highest individual score
Deepak Hooda holds the record for the highest individual score in India vs Ireland T20Is. Hooda slammed 104 off just 57 balls during the second T20I of India’s tour of Ireland in 2022. His innings was laced with nine fours and six maximums. Hooda’s knock helped India beat Ireland by four runs in Dublin.
Best bowling figures
Former India fast bowler Zaheer Khan has the best bowling figures in this T20I fixture. During a Group A clash in the ICC World T20 2009 in Nottingham, Zaheer recorded figures of 4/19 to help India restrict Ireland to 112/8 in their 20 overs. The left-arm pacer bagged the wickets of William Porterfield, Jeremy Bray, Andre Botha and Andrew White. India later chased down the required target in 15.3 overs to register a comprehensive eight-wicket win.
Highest partnership
Sanju Samson and Deepak Hooda hold the record for the highest partnership in India vs Ireland T20Is. Samson and Hooda forged a match-winning 176-run stand for the second wicket to guide India to 225/7 in their 20 overs. Hooda scored 104, while Samson departed after slamming 77. India won the match by four runs.
Photo credit: Alamy
