India vs Ireland T20Is: Who Is The Only Indian To Score A T20I Century Against Ireland?

As India prepare for another T20I series against Ireland, one record continues to stand untouched. Nearly four years after his historic knock in Dublin, Deepak Hooda remains the only Indian batter to score a T20 International century against Ireland.

Several Indian stars have produced memorable innings against the Irish, but none have managed to join Hooda in the exclusive club of T20I centurions.

Deepak Hooda’s Historic Night in Dublin

On June 28, 2022, Hooda etched his name into India’s T20I record books with a sensational 104 off just 57 balls at The Village in Malahide.

The right-hander reached his century in only 55 deliveries, becoming just the fourth Indian men’s cricketer after Suresh Raina, Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul to score a T20I hundred.

The knock was remarkable not just because of the milestone, but because of how early it came in his international career. Hooda achieved the feat in only his fifth T20I appearance and third innings, making him one of the fastest players from a Test-playing nation to score a T20I century.

His innings featured explosive strokeplay all around the ground and powered India to a daunting total of 225/7.

The Record Partnership With Sanju Samson

Hooda’s century was complemented by a brilliant innings from Sanju Samson, who scored 77 off 42 balls.

Together, the pair added 176 runs for the second wicket, a partnership that remains one of India’s finest in T20I cricket.

At the time, it was India’s highest partnership for any wicket in T20 Internationals and completely dismantled the Irish bowling attack.

Batters Who Came Close Against Ireland

While Hooda remains the only centurion, several Indian stars have flirted with triple figures.

Rohit Sharma – 97 (61 balls), 2018

The closest anyone has come to matching Hooda’s feat was Rohit Sharma during the 2018 series. The former India captain fell agonisingly short of a century, finishing unbeaten on 97 from 61 deliveries.

Three more runs would have made him India’s first T20I centurion against Ireland.

Sanju Samson – 77 (42 balls), 2022

Overshadowed by Hooda’s hundred, Samson played an equally crucial role in the record partnership at Malahide, hammering 77 at a strike rate of over 180.

Shikhar Dhawan – 74 (45 balls), 2018

Dhawan’s aggressive half-century laid the foundation for India’s victory during the 2018 tour and remains one of the highest scores by an Indian against Ireland.

KL Rahul – 70 (36 balls), 2018

Rahul showcased his trademark attacking game with a rapid 70, further highlighting India’s batting dominance against Ireland.

Suresh Raina – 69 (45 balls), 2018

One of India’s earliest T20 specialists, Raina narrowly missed a half-century-plus score that could have been much bigger.

Ruturaj Gaikwad – 58 (43 balls), 2023

Gaikwad added his name to the list during India’s most recent T20I tour, though he was unable to convert his start into a three-figure score.

Can Someone Join Hooda in 2026?

With India’s updated T20I squad featuring explosive batters such as Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan, Tilak Varma and Shreyas Iyer, Hooda’s unique record could come under threat during the upcoming series.

Yet, as things stand, the record belongs solely to the Rajasthan-born batter.

India vs Ireland Highest Individual Scores by Indians

For now, Deepak Hooda remains the answer to a unique trivia question: the only Indian cricketer to score a T20I century against Ireland.