NEW DELHI: Jai Moondra’s cricket journey has come full circle.Just days after making a dream T20I debut against India, the Rajasthan – born fast bowler has now added another milestone to his rapidly rising career by making his ODI debut for Ireland in the five – match series against Afghanistan.The 29-year-old has already announced himself on the international stage. In his maiden T20I series against the country he once dreamed of representing, Moondra made an immediate impact.He dismissed Sanju Samson with the very first ball of his international career in the opening T20I before removing Shivam Dube to claim his second wicket.In the second T20I, he dismissed Samson for a duck once again, making the India opener his bunny. He also removed Abhishek Sharma for a duck and Shreyas Iyer for 10 to finish with figures of 3/32 and help Ireland register a famous 2 – 0 series win.
His impressive performances against India quickly sparked curiosity. Questions flooded social media: Who is Jai Moondra? Who is this India – born cricketer?The answer begins thousands of kilometres away from Dublin, in Tonk, Rajasthan.When Moondra left India to pursue higher studies in Ireland, he did not just leave his family behind. He also left behind his first love – cricket.Moondra moved to Ireland to pursue a Master’s degree in Electronics and Communication at Technological University Dublin. But whenever he saw children playing cricket in parks or small grounds across Dublin, he would stop for a moment. He would watch them appeal loudly, celebrate wickets, run between the wickets, bowl with long run – ups and dive to save runs. Then he would quietly walk away with a backpack full of books on his shoulders – shoulders that once carried a cricket kit bag.Moondra may have left cricket in India, but cricket never left him.Moondra continued chasing coding deadlines at work while also keeping his cricket dream alive at Leinster Cricket Club (LCC) in Dublin.Eventually, the dream he had left behind in India was fulfilled in Ireland when he received his debut cap for Ireland against the team he had once dreamed of representing – India.
A Pakistani hand behind Moondra’s rise
Few know that there is a Pakistani connection behind Moondra’s rise.Moondra learnt the art of swing and pace from Bilal Azhar, a left – arm fast bowler from Islamabad, Pakistan, who moved to Ireland in 2008.Moondra met Bilal after he resumed playing cricket at Leinster Cricket Club in Dublin.Bilal, who idolised Wasim Akram and was himself a left – arm pacer, spotted something special in Moondra during a pre – season net session.
Office, cricket, sleep and repeat – that became Moondra’s routine. Throughout that journey, Bilal remained one of the biggest influences in the young pacer’s career.“He just came in and bowled. I was batting that day, and I felt there were some quick balls there. We knew immediately – there is something in this boy,” Bilal told TimesofIndia.com in an exclusive interview from Dublin.“He was definitely quick, but he was bowling too many no – balls. We worked on simple drills. It was just about controlling that pace. He is a quick learner. He listens. He works hard. Even in the off – season, he used to train with parachute runs just to bowl faster,” Bilal added.For Bilal, Jai’s debut against India was hardly a surprise.“It didn’t even feel like a debut. We always knew since 2024–25 that he is special. There were no nerves. When a bowler is hitting 142 – plus clicks and dismissing top – quality batters, you don’t talk about nerves. You talk about quality. Jai is calm – he performs quietly and lets his bowling do the talking. He performs silently. He is there or thereabouts with that kind of raw pace you associate with bowlers like Wasim Akram or Waqar Younis,” he said.“He told me about the selection before it was officially announced. We just told him – go and enjoy it. He is very calm by nature. He treats every match like just another game,” he said.
The foundation
While Bilal helped polish Moondra’s skills in Ireland, the foundation of his bowling had already been laid in India under former Ranji cricketer Mohan Singh at SS Cricket Club in Jaipur.Moondra trained under Mohan before leaving for Ireland, and the coach believes the fast bowler’s success is the result of years of hard work and discipline.“He came to us for bowling tips in 2017. His speed was dropping. We corrected his foot position and body alignment. He worked very hard – very disciplined,” said Mohan Singh.
Mohan recalled that even when Moondra decided to move abroad for higher studies and a job, he encouraged him not to give up cricket.“That dedication was always there – studying, coming on time, following discipline. Even during COVID, he kept working. He told me he had to go for studies and a job. I told him – if you get a chance in Ireland, don’t leave cricket,” Mohan said.Moondra also stayed connected with his coach after earning his Ireland call – up.“He is emotional, honest, and very respectful. And he even called me after selection. That matters more than anything,” Mohan added.
LCC support
If Moondra’s cricketing foundation was laid in India, it was shaped in Dublin.At Leinster Cricket Club (LCC), Moondra received everything he needed to continue his cricket journey – from bats and kit to training facilities, nets and flexible schedules. A major reason behind that support was first – team manager Michael Colleran.While Bilal worked on Moondra’s bowling, Colleran ensured the 29 – year – old had the right environment to grow as a cricketer.
Colleran recalled how the club first got to know Moondra.“Bilal insisted we give him the ball. He believed in him from day one. We worked on his workload and fitness. He is a student of the game and improves every season,” Colleran said.“When he first came, he looked like a rookie but he was not. He knew his game; all we did was polish and work on certain things. With time, he evolved as a player. We at LCC are so proud of him. The way he managed his job and practice was amazing. A punctual and hard – working guy,” he said.When Moondra finally earned his Ireland debut, the advice from the club was simple.“We told him – just enjoy it. He is very humble and very level – headed,” Colleran said.Moondra’s debut changed everything for LCCFor Leinster Cricket Club, Moondra’s international debut has become much more than a personal achievement. His success has generated fresh excitement around the club, with more youngsters showing interest in taking up cricket.
Suyash Vaidya, chairman of the LCC senior men’s team, said Moondra’s rise has inspired the next generation of cricketers.“With his talent and fast – bowling ability, he has become one of the stars of our club. He has also become an inspiration for our youth players and for everyone across LCC who comes to watch him perform,” Vaidya said.“His selection in the international team has created huge excitement among our students, juniors, and players, and even across our social media followers. We’ve seen a big rise in interest, and day by day we are receiving more inquiries and requests to join the club,” he said.
Eyes on the next challenge
Having already made memorable start to his T20I carrer , Moondra now enters the next phase of his international journey with growing expectations.From the technical corrections under Mohan Singh in Jaipur to the polishing of his skills under Bilal Azhar in Dublin, and the backing of Leinster Cricket Club, every step helped shape the fast bowler who is now living the dream he once thought he had left behind in India.
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