NEW DELHI: Jai Moondra admitted he was still struggling to believe what had just happened after inspiring Ireland to one of the biggest moments in the country’s cricket history as emotional celebrations erupted after the hosts’ stunning 2-0 win over reigning world champions India in the T20I series.The software engineer from Tonk, Rajasthan, fresh from his series debut for Ireland at international level, was adjudged both man of the match and player of the series after once again dismantling India’s star-studded batting line-up. Moondra took 3 for 32, removing Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma and the captain Shreyas Iyerwhile Ireland defended 154 to record a dramatic one-run win at Stormont.Videos released after the match captured scenes of jubilation, with the Ireland players celebrating a landmark triumph that secured their first series win over India in any format and ended the visitors’ 16-series winning streak in T20Is.
‘I’m still trying to sink into the feeling’
Despite becoming the show’s unlikely hero, Moondra said the magnitude of the achievement has yet to fully register.“I’m still trying to sink in the feeling. I know it’s hard to describe in one word. It’s amazing to play against the best, to test yourself,” he said.The left-arm pacer revealed that his approach throughout the series was to simply stick to the basics.“So, working on the basics for longer, that was the plan. Kudos to the team members and management. Keep it simple. There will be tough times, but stay calm and collected and do what you want,” he explained.Moondra also reflected on the setbacks he overcame before reaching this stage of his career.“Everyone has ups and downs, so you just have to hang on and keep going through it. Nothing more.”WATCH: Irish players celebrate historic win
‘They made me feel like one of them’
The 29-year-old has credited Ireland’s dressing room environment with helping him settle seamlessly into international cricket.“They made me feel like I was one of them, nothing different than that. It was amazing, good environment, good people. So I was just doing the duty they gave me,” he said.Asked about bowling with experienced opener Sanju Samson, Moondra said he never deviated from his plans despite the challenge.“Just keep it simple, do what you’ve been doing. It’s going to be tough, little room for mistakes. So just keep doing what you’ve been doing and stick to the plan,” he added.His disciplined execution paid off handsomely as he dismissed Samson and Abhishek Sharma for ducks on the first ball before sending Iyer back to leave India on 35 for 4.Even after receiving the player of the series award after just two international appearances, Moondra admitted that the fairy tale was difficult to understand.“Oh, I’m still trying to process it,” Moondra said.For Ireland, the celebration reflected much more than just another bilateral win in a row. After backing up their first win with another inspired performance, Lorcan Tucker’s side showed their success was no fluke, achieving arguably the biggest T20I achievement in the nation’s history against the best team in the world.
