Irish Indian-origin pacer Jai Moondra has joined the growing list of admirers of teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, insisting that the youngster’s age should not become a barrier to his international ambitions.Speaking during an interaction with broadcasters ahead of the second T20I in Belfast, Moondra was asked about the buzz surrounding Sooryavanshi and whether the teenager’s exploits have attracted attention in Irish cricket circles. The left-arm pacer was decisive in his reply.“They say age is just a number. He is playing for India and could soon earn an international title. We have seen that he has great potential. Age ko chodhiye woh bohot bada dhamaka bhi kar shkta hai (Age should not be a factor because he is capable of producing something special). Everyone knows what he can do and everyone wants to watch him play. Now, let’s see if he gets a chance,” Moondra said.Watch:The accolade comes at a time when Sooryavanshi’s name is increasingly being discussed as India look to bounce back from a shock defeat in the opening T20I against Ireland.While India suffered a disappointing 34-run defeat in Belfast on Friday, the match turned into a memorable occasion for Moondra himself. The Tonk-born pacer, who made his debut for Ireland, played a key role in helping the hosts register their first international win over India.The 29-year-old made an immediate impact, dismissing Sanju Samson with the first ball of his spell before returning to remove Shivam Dube later in the innings. His impressive figures of 2/25 from four overs highlighted Ireland’s disciplined bowling effort.With India facing the inevitable encounter in the second and final T20I, Sooryavanshi’s name has inevitably surfaced as a potential option if the management decides to change the batting order. And if Moondra’s assessment is anything to go by, the teenager’s talent is already attracting attention far beyond India’s borders.
