‘I’m still trying to process it’: Rajasthan-born Jai Moondra leads Ireland’s emotional celebrations after historic series win over India

Ireland players after their series win against India. (Download video) 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 cricketing history as emotional celebrations erupted over reigning world champions India after the hosts’ stunning 2-0 T20I series thrashing.Rajasthan’s software engineer Tonk, who made only his international debut for Ireland in the series, was named both Player of the Match and Player of the Series after dismantling India’s star-studded batting line-up once again. Moondra took 3 for 32, removing Sanja Samson, Abhishek Sharma and skipper Shreyas Iyer as Ireland defended 154 to seal a dramatic one-run victory at Stormont.Videos released after the match showed jubilant scenes as the Ireland players celebrated a momentous triumph that secured their first-ever series win over India in any format and ended the visitors’ 16-match winning streak in T20Is.

‘I’m still trying to sink in the feeling’

Despite Moondra becoming the show’s unlikely hero, she 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 it in one word. It’s an amazing feeling to play against the best, to test yourself,” he said.The left-arm pacer revealed that his approach throughout the series has been to simply stick to the basics.“So just doing the basics longer, that was the plan. Thanks to the team members and the management. Keep it simple. There will be tough times but keep calm and composed and do your thing,” he explained.Moondra also reflected on the setbacks he overcame before reaching this stage in his career.“Everybody has ups and downs, so you just have to hang in there and keep going. Nothing more.”WATCH: Ireland’s players celebrate historic win

“They made me feel like one of them”

The 29-year-old credited the Ireland dressing room environment for helping him settle into international cricket smoothly.“They made me feel like I was one of them, nothing else. It was amazing, good environment, good people. So just doing the duty they gave me,” he said.Asked about the bowling of veteran Sanju opener Samson Moondro, he said that 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 error. So stick to 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 first-ball ducks before sending back Iyer to leave India reeling at 35 for 4.Even after winning the Player of the Series award after just two international appearances, Moondra admitted the fairy tale was hard to fathom.“Oh, I’m still trying to process it,” Moondra said.For Ireland, the celebrations reflected much more than just another bilateral series win. After backing up their opening win with another inspired performance, Lorcan Tucker’s side showed their breakthrough success was no fluke, producing arguably the biggest T20I success in the nation’s history against the world’s best team.