“India sad lost, but…”: Mother of India-born Ireland pacer Jai Moondra reacts after dream debut | Cricket News
India lost the opening T20I against Ireland by 34 runs in Belfast on Friday, but for the people in Rajasthan’s Tonk district, the biggest moment was Jai Moondra’s international debut for Ireland. The 29-year-old took two wickets, including Sanju Samson with the first ball of his spell, as Ireland recorded their first international win over India.Jai finished with figures of 2 for 25 from four overs after also dismissing Shivam Dube.Back in Tonk, his family gathered to watch the match together. They cheered the Indian batsmen but celebrated every time Jai took a wicket. While they were disappointed with India’s defeat, they said they were proud of Jai’s performance.His mother, Vidya Moondra, told the news agency ANI: “I’m sad that India lost, but my son did so well and brought laurels to his family, Rajasthan and the country. I’m proud of him. He took two wickets. Everyone who saw him play told us to make him a cricketer. And then he focused on cricket. He finished his education and then he took this.His uncle, Kanhaiya Lal Moondra, also spoke on the occasion.“I can’t describe my joy in words. The passion with which my son played, I created history. I had so many calls that he played so well. We are sad that India lost, but we are proud of our son,” he said.Jai started playing cricket in Tonk under coach Imtiaz Ali at the same ground where Indian fast bowler Khaleel Ahmed also trained, ANI reported. I represented Tonk and Rajasthan at Under-14 level before moving to Ireland in May 2021 to pursue an MTech degree.READ ALSO: Who is Jai Moondra? The Irish pacer from Rajasthan is making his T20I debut against IndiaWhile studying I continued to play club cricket and joined the Leinster Cricket Club in Dublin. He was part of the team that won the Irish Senior Cup in 2023 and worked his way into Ireland’s domestic system. After receiving Irish citizenship in 2025, he won his place in the national team.Jai made an immediate impact after striking in the second over of India’s innings. He bowled Sanju Samson with the first delivery of his spell and gave away just seven runs in that over. He came back in the fifth over and conceded just four runs.His second wicket came in the 16th over when Shivam Dube hit the ball behind him, and Jai completed a return catch off the final ball of the over after giving away six runs.He almost finished with three wickets in his last over but Harshit Rana was dropped off the final ball. Jai finished with figures of 2 for 25, playing a key role in Ireland’s victory.Ireland and India meet again in the second T20I in Belfast on Sunday, with the hosts looking to seal the series.
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