Belfast City Hall lit in Tricolour as India face Ireland in T20I series
Synopsis
Belfast City Hall glowed in the Indian tricolour for Team India's arrival — but the real headline was Ireland making history on the pitch. Their 34-run win in the first T20I is the first victory Ireland have ever recorded against India across all formats, turning a diplomatic reception into a high-stakes series decider on Sunday.
Key Takeaways
Belfast City Hall was lit in the Indian tricolour on 28 June to welcome Team India for the two-match T20I series.
Consul General Kiran Khatri hosted a special reception for the squad at the CGI Belfast office.
Ireland beat India by 34 runs in the first T20I — their first-ever win over India across all formats.
Captain Lorcan Tucker's half-century powered Ireland to 182/9 ; India were bowled out for 148 in 18.5 overs .
India had won all eight previous T20I meetings against Ireland, including at the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup in New York .
The series decider takes place at the Civil Service Cricket Club, Belfast on Sunday .
Belfast City Hall was illuminated in the colours of the Indian tricolour on 28 June as the Consulate General of India (CGI) in Belfast hosted a special reception for Team India, currently in Northern Ireland for a two-match T20I series against Ireland. Consul General Kiran Khatri welcomed the squad ahead of the second and final T20I, scheduled at the Civil Service Cricket Club on Sunday.
A Warm Welcome in Belfast
The reception brought together members of the Indian diaspora and distinguished guests in a show of cultural warmth. 'Sport remains one of the warmest bridges between our peoples. Wishing the Men in Blue the very best!' CGI Belfast posted on X. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) also shared glimpses of the evening on X, describing it as 'an evening of warmth, camaraderie and the Indian spirit in Belfast.'
This marks Team India's first visit to Ireland in three years, with their previous T20I on Irish soil coming in 2023. The two nations last played at Stormont in 2007 — an ODI that India won by nine wickets.
Ireland's Historic First Win Over India
The backdrop to the reception was a seismic result in the opening T20I. Ireland broke an eight-match losing streak against India — their first-ever victory over the reigning T20 World Champions across all formats — winning by 34 runs. It is a result that has reshaped the narrative heading into Sunday's decider.
Captain Lorcan Tucker's half-century anchored Ireland's innings as the hosts posted 182/9 in their 20 overs. India's batting line-up, widely regarded as one of the most formidable in world cricket, crumbled under pressure and were dismissed for 148 in 18.5 overs, falling short by 34 runs.
India–Ireland T20I Record
Prior to this series, India had won all eight previous T20I encounters against Ireland, including their most recent meeting at the 2024 ICC Men's T20 World Cup in New York. Ireland's first-match victory on home soil now makes the second T20I a must-win for the visitors.
What's at Stake on Sunday
With the series level at 1-0 in Ireland's favour, Sunday's match at the Civil Service Cricket Club carries added significance. A second consecutive loss for India would mark their first-ever T20I series defeat to Ireland, adding further pressure on the squad's batting unit. The diplomatic warmth of the Belfast reception will need to be matched by on-field resolve.
Point of View
Long considered the team's insurance policy, failed against a modest Ireland attack on a ground with no particular reputation for seam or spin. That the loss came while Belfast City Hall was literally glowing in Indian colours makes the optics sharper. The second T20I is now a pressure test for a side that has not lost a T20I series to Ireland before — and a genuine opportunity for Ireland to announce themselves as a force beyond Associate cricket's usual footnotes.
NationPress
28 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Belfast City Hall lit up in the Indian tricolour?
Belfast City Hall was illuminated in the colours of the Indian tricolour on 28 June to welcome Team India, who are in Northern Ireland for a two-match T20I series against Ireland. The gesture was part of a special reception hosted by the Consulate General of India in Belfast.
Has Ireland ever beaten India in cricket before?
No — Ireland's 34-run win in the first T20I of the current series is their first-ever victory over India across all formats of the game. India had previously won all eight T20I encounters between the two sides.
What was the result of the first T20I between India and Ireland?
Ireland won the first T20I by 34 runs. Captain Lorcan Tucker's half-century helped Ireland post 182/9, while India were dismissed for 148 in 18.5 overs.
When and where is the second T20I between India and Ireland?
The second T20I is scheduled for Sunday at the Civil Service Cricket Club in Belfast. Ireland lead the two-match series 1-0.
When did India last play in Ireland before this tour?
India's last T20I on Irish soil was in 2023. The two teams had also met at Stormont in 2007 in an ODI, which India won by nine wickets.
