India lost the opening T20I against Ireland by 34 runs in Belfast on Friday, but for the people of Rajasthan’s Tonk district, the biggest moment was left-arm pacer Jai Moondra’s international debut for Ireland. The 29-year-old claimed two wickets, including Sanju Samson with the first ball of his spell, as Ireland registered their first international win over India.Jai finished with figures of 2 for 25 from four overs after also dismissing Shivam Dube.In Tonk, his family gathered to watch the game together. They cheered for the Indian batsmen but celebrated every time Jai took a wicket. Although they were disappointed with India’s defeat, they said they were proud of Jai’s performance.His mother, Vidya Moondra, told news agency ANI: “I’m sad that India lost, but my son was so good and he brought laurels to his family, Rajasthan and the country. I’m proud of him. He took two wickets. Everyone who ever watched him play told us to make him a cricketer. After class 10, he focused more on his studies because his father wanted him to get his degree first and then focus on He completed his education and then joined the academy.”His uncle, Kanhaiya Lal Moondra, also spoke on the occasion.“I can’t express my joy in words. The passion with which my son played, he created history. I get so many phone 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. He represented Tonk and Rajasthan at Under-14 level before moving to Ireland in May 2021 to pursue his MTech degree.READ ALSO: Who is Jai Moondra? The Rajasthan-born Irish pacer made his T20I debut against IndiaWhile studying, he 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 broke into the Irish national system. After receiving Irish citizenship in 2025, he won his place in the national team.Jai made an immediate impact after coming into the attack in the second over of India’s innings. He hit 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 bowled him back and Jai completed the return catch with the last ball of the over after conceding six runs.He almost finished with three wickets in his last over but Harshit Rana was run out off the last ball. Jai finished with figures of 2 for 25, playing a key role in Ireland’s victory.Ireland and India will meet again in the second T20I in Belfast on Sunday, with the hosts looking to seal the series.
