Belfast, June 28 : The Consulate General of India (CGI) in Belfast hosted a special reception for Team India, who are in Ireland for the two-match T20I series, in the Northern Ireland capital. Consul General of India Kiran Khatri welcomed the 'Men in Blue' as they will take on the hosts in the second match of the series here at the Civil Service Cricket Club on Sunday.

The India men's cricket team returned to Ireland three years after their last visit. To welcome Team India, Belfast City Hall was lit up in the Indian tricolour.

"Sport remains one of the warmest bridges between our peoples. Wishing the Men in Blue the very best!" CGI Belfast posted on X.

Meanwhile, the BCCI shared the glimpses of the event on X with a caption, "An evening of warmth, camaraderie and the Indian spirit in Belfast. The Consulate General of India in Belfast (@CGIBelfast) welcomed #TeamIndia at a special reception hosted by Ms Kiran Khatri, Consul General of India. Joined by members of the Indian community and distinguished guests, the occasion reflected the enduring appeal of cricket in bringing people closer."

India and Ireland have met on eight occasions previously in T20Is, with India winning all eight, the last encounter being at the 2024 ICC Menâ??s T20 World Cup in New York. Before the ongoing tour, India's last T20I on Irish soil was in 2023. The teams last played at Stormont in 2007, an ODI which India won by nine wickets.

However, Ireland broke a winless run against India in the opening T20I by registering their first-ever win over reigning world T20 champions by 34 runs.

Captain Lorcan Tucker's half-century paved the way for the Irish, as they piled up an impressive 182/9 in their 20 overs. India's famed batting line-up crumbled under pressure, and the visitors were dismissed for 148 in 18.5 overs.

The 34-run win marks Ireland's first-ever triumph against India across all formats of the game.

/IANS