While young Indian batsman Vaibhav Sooryavanshi had to wait for his international debut, Ireland handed the first T20I cap to Indian-born left-arm pacer Jai Moondra in the opening match of the tournament at the Civil Service Cricket Club in Belfast on Friday.Indian captain Shreyas Iyer won the toss and elected to field first. India went with three fast bowlers, one all-rounder and two spinners, while Sooryavanshi was left out of the playing XI.For Ireland, captain Lorcan Tucker confirmed Moondra’s bowling debut, saying, “I would have bowled. It looks like a very good pitch. It was a matter of change. Stirlo has led the last few years beautifully. Jai is making his debut today.”Moondra’s debut may not have garnered the same attention Sooryavanshi had hoped for, but the 29-year-old has made a name for herself in Irish cricket as one of the fastest bowlers from Leinster, Ireland’s most populous province.
Who is Jai Moondra?
Born in Tonk, Rajasthan, Moondra moved to Ireland in 2021 to pursue a Master’s degree in Electronics and Communication. Upon arrival, he joined the Leinster Cricket Club in Dublin and worked on the Irish home team.Speaking after receiving the invitation from his Irish girlfriend, Moondra told Cricket Ireland, “Playing international cricket has always been a dream. I am very grateful to Cricket Ireland for giving me this opportunity. Although I set goals for myself, I also focus on each game. I have goals, but I am not stressed about the future. I try to enjoy the moment – and that is what I am planning for the India series.”Interestingly, Moondra did not start his cricket journey as a fast bowler. He started out as a batsman who could spin the left arm before changing his pace in his career.His domestic record includes one Leinster cap, as well as six List A caps and five T20 caps.With his debut, Moondra joined the list of players from India to represent Ireland. The list includes Raman Lamba and Simi Singh, according to a Cricbuzz report. Another name is Robin Waters, who was born in Calcutta (now Kolkata) and was part of Ireland that beat the West Indies for 25 in 1969.Indian cricket fans may also recognize Waters as the driver involved in the 1961 road accident in England that left Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, who was traveling as a passenger, with one eye.
