India Women’s National Cricket Team vs Ireland Women’s National Cricket Team Timeline

Hey there, cricket fans! Imagine two teams stepping onto the field, one from the bustling streets of India where cricket is more than a sport—it’s a passion—and the other from the green fields of Ireland, where the game is played with that same quiet determination you see in a rainy day match. That’s the story of the India Women’s National Cricket Team vs Ireland Women’s National Cricket Team Timeline. Their rivalry isn’t packed with centuries of history like some Ashes tale, but every time these two sides meet, it’s like a fresh breeze on a hot summer day—full of surprises, grit, and those heart-pounding moments that make you cheer from your couch.

In this article, we’re diving into the timeline of their head-to-head battles. From their very first clash in the late ’80s to the record-shattering showdowns of 2025, we’ll walk you through it all. I’ll keep it simple, like chatting over a cup of chai, so whether you’re a kid just discovering cricket or a grandparent who’s seen it all, you’ll feel right at home. We’ll cover the big wins, the narrow escapes, and even those “what if” moments that keep coaches up at night. And yes, there’s a full table right in the middle to make it super easy to scan. Let’s get started—grab your lucky cap, and let’s play ball!

The Early Days: Humble Beginnings in the 1980s

Picture this: It’s 1980-something, and women’s cricket is still finding its feet around the world. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had just started supporting the women’s game seriously, and across the Irish Sea, the Irish Ladies Cricket Union was doing the same. Their paths first crossed in 1988 during a Quadrangular Tournament in Ireland. Yeah, you read that right—1988! That was a time when mobile phones were bricks and cricket highlights came on grainy TV.

The first recorded ODI between India Women and Ireland Women happened on July 23, 1988, in Dublin. Ireland batted first and put up 119 all out in 60 overs—remember, ODIs were longer back then, 60 overs per side. India chased it down with ease, winning by six wickets. Shantha Rangaswamy, one of India’s pioneering all-rounders, was in the mix, and it set the tone: India meant business. But hey, it wasn’t all one-sided. Ireland’s bowlers, led by tough cookies like Kathryn Bridgett, made the Indian openers sweat for those runs.

Fast forward to 1990, and they met again in the Sameer Cup in India. Ireland scored 152, but India’s batting firepower, with names like Diana Edulji (a fast-bowling legend), sealed another win by eight wickets. These early games were more about building the sport than breaking records. For young girls watching, it was inspiring—proof that women could hold a bat and bowl with the best. By the mid-90s, they’d clashed a handful of times, mostly in tournaments like the England Women’s Cricket Centenary Year Tournament in 1995. India won those too, but Ireland’s spirit shone through. Their keeper-batter, Eileen O’Brien, often stole the show with quick runs under pressure.

These matches weren’t televised much, but they laid the foundation. India was rising as a force in women’s cricket, thanks to trailblazers who fought for equal pitches (literally). Ireland, meanwhile, was the underdog story we all root for—small nation, big heart. By the end of the ’90s, India led the head-to-head 5-0 in ODIs, but each game felt like a learning curve for both sides.

The 2000s: Tournaments Take Center Stage

Entering the new millennium, women’s cricket exploded with more ICC events. The 2000 Women’s World Cup in New Zealand was a big one—India and Ireland both qualified, but they didn’t meet there. Their next big dance was in 2005, during the IWCC Trophy in Scotland. Ireland batted first again, scraping 136, and India romped home by nine wickets. Poonam Raut, a young batter, made her mark with a steady knock.

But the real fun kicked off in 2010 at the ICC Women’s World T20 in the West Indies—the first T20 World Cup for women! On May 7, 2010, in Basseterre, St. Kitts, Ireland posted 118/8, thanks to Cecelia Joyce’s gritty 38. India chased it in 18.1 overs, winning by six wickets. Virat Kohli might have been making headlines in men’s cricket, but over in the women’s game, Jhulan Goswami’s swing bowling terrorized Ireland’s top order.

The 2010s saw them clash in T20Is more often, as the shorter format gained traction. In 2013, during a T20I in East London, South Africa, Ireland edged closer but fell short by 16 runs. India’s Harmanpreet Kaur—yes, the future captain—was already smashing boundaries like fireworks. By 2017, in the Women’s World Cup Qualifier in Potchefstroom, South Africa, India hammered Ireland by 249 runs! Smriti Mandhana, then a rising star, scored a breezy 67, while the bowlers ran through Ireland for 79. That win was a statement—India was no longer just participating; they were dominating.

T20Is weren’t left behind. In the 2018 ICC Women’s World T20 Qualifier in Scotland, they played twice. First, India won by 70 runs; then, in a thriller, by five wickets. Ireland’s Gaby Lewis, a teenage prodigy, showed promise with her elegant strokes, but India’s depth—batting all the way down to No. 8—was too much. These years were about growth. India hosted more matches, inspiring a generation, while Ireland’s players balanced cricket with day jobs. Fun fact: Ireland’s Laura Delany, their longtime skipper, once joked that her team’s secret weapon was “sheer stubbornness.”

The 2020s: Modern Rivalries and Record Breakers

The 2020s brought the pandemic pause, but cricket bounced back fiercer. The first meeting of the decade was in February 2023 at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in Gqeberha, South Africa. On February 18, Ireland batted first for 94/8, but India’s bowlers, led by Deepti Sharma’s 3/18, kept it tight. Mandhana’s unbeaten 23 guided India to a six-wicket win in 14.3 overs. It was clinical—India’s fielding was electric, with dives that would make acrobats jealous.

Then came the game-changer: January 2025. For the first time ever, Ireland toured India for a bilateral ODI series—three matches in Rajkot, part of the ICC Women’s Championship. This wasn’t just any series; it was historic. India, ranked third globally, faced an Ireland side at the bottom but hungry after a T20I whitewash over Bangladesh.

First ODI, January 10, 2025: Ireland won the toss and batted, posting 238/7 in 50 overs. Christina Coulter Reilly’s maiden fifty (62 off 88) and a 50-run stand with Leah Paul kept them afloat. But India’s chase was a masterclass. Openers Smriti Mandhana (63) and Pratika Rawal (72) added 116, and despite a wobble, Jemimah Rodrigues (43*) and Richa Ghosh finished it off. India won by six wickets with 15 overs to spare. The Rajkot pitch was true—flat and full of runs—but India’s spinners, like Sneh Rana, turned the screw.

Second ODI, January 12, 2025: India batted first and exploded for 370/5—their highest ODI total at the time! Rodrigues smashed her maiden ODI century (155 off 94 balls), accelerating from 50 to 100 in just 28 balls. She celebrated with a guitar air-strum—pure joy! Mandhana added 73, and the last 10 overs yielded 102 runs. Ireland fought back with 249/9, Coulter Reilly (50) and Delany (37) frustrating the attack, but fell 121 runs short. India sealed the series 2-0, earning crucial Championship points.

Third ODI, January 15, 2025: The grand finale. India batted and rewrote history with 435/5—their highest ODI score ever, and the fourth-highest in women’s cricket! Rawal’s maiden ton (154 off 112) and Mandhana’s lightning 135 (fastest Indian ODI hundred off 70 balls) formed a 233-run opening stand. Richa Ghosh blasted 59 off 42. Ireland crumbled to 131 all out in 31.4 overs, Orla Prendergast top-scoring with 36. Deepti Sharma’s 3/27 and Tanuja Kanwar’s 2/31 did the damage. India won by 304 runs—their biggest ODI victory, topping the 249-run margin from 2017.

This series was a whitewash (3-0), but Ireland took positives: better batting endurance and exposure to subcontinental conditions. For India, it was a confidence booster ahead of bigger battles.

Key Stats and Records: Numbers That Tell the Story

Over 14 ODIs and 5 T20Is (as of October 2025), India leads 14-0 in ODIs and 5-0 in T20Is. No ties, no losses for India—talk about dominance! Mandhana has 450+ runs against Ireland, while Goswami and Deepti share 20+ wickets. Ireland’s best? That 249 in 2025, showing fight.

But stats aren’t everything. These matches highlight growth: India’s professional setup versus Ireland’s resilience. They’ve met in World Cups (T20 2010, 2023) and qualifiers, always with India on top but Ireland improving.

Full India Women’s National Cricket Team vs Ireland Women’s National Cricket Team Timeline Table: All Matches at a Glance

Here’s a handy table summarizing every head-to-head. Easy to read, right? Dates, formats, scores, and results—perfect for quick reference.

(Note: Early 1990s matches are approximate based on tournament records; T20Is started in 2009.)

What’s Next? The Future of This India Women’s National Cricket Team vs Ireland Women’s National Cricket Team Timeline Rivalry

As we look ahead, who knows? With the ICC Women’s Championship rolling on, another series could pop up soon. Ireland’s young guns like Orla Prendergast are knocking on the door of upsets, and India’s bench strength—think Shafali Verma or Saika Ishaque—keeps growing. This timeline isn’t over; it’s just warming up.