‘Sad India lost but…’: Ireland Indian-origin pacer Jai Moondra’s mother reacts after dream debut

Ireland’s Jai Moondra, center, celebrates with his teammates after bowling out Sanju Samson during the first T20I Test match in Stormont, Belfast, Northern Ireland, Friday, June 26, 2026. (AP) India lost the opening T20I against Ireland by 34 runs in Belfast on Friday, but the biggest moment for people in Rajasthan’s Tonk district was left-arm pacer Jai Moondra’s international debut for Ireland. The 29-year-old picked up two wickets, including Sanju Samson with the first ball of his spell, as Ireland recorded their first ever 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 match together. They cheered the Indian batsmen but celebrated whenever Jai got a wicket. Although 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 did so well and brought laurels to his family, Rajasthan and the whole country. I’m proud of him. He took two wickets. Everyone who ever saw him play told us to make him a cricketer. After class 10, he wanted to focus more on his father’s studies. education and then he pursued it.”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 made history. I am getting 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. He represented Tonk and Rajasthan at Under-14 level before moving to Ireland in May 2021 to pursue his MTech degree.ALSO READ: Who is Jai Moondra? The Rajasthan-born Irish pacer makes his T20I debut against IndiaHe continued his club cricket during his studies 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 earned a place in the national team.Jai made an immediate impact after coming into the attack in the second over of India’s innings. In the first delivery of his spell, he bowled Sanju Samson, conceding just seven runs in the process. He came back in the fifth inning and conceded just four runs.His second wicket came in the 16th over when Shivam Dube bowled the ball back to him and Jai completed the return catch from the last ball of the over after giving away 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 which played a key role in Ireland’s win.Ireland and India meet again in Belfast on Sunday in the second T20I, with the hosts looking to seal the series.