Jai Moondra admits he was left speechless.

The 29-year-old Leinster Lightning all-rounder was going about his day last Friday when Ireland Men’s selector Andrew White called with life-changing news – he had been selected in Ireland’s T20 squad to face world champions India.

For a player who once thought his cricket career was over, it was a moment almost too big to process.

“I was speechless,” Moondra said. “To play international cricket was always a dream. I'm really grateful to Cricket Ireland for giving me this opportunity.”

Born in Tonk, a small town near Jaipur in Rajasthan, Moondra’s cricket journey has been anything but conventional. As a youngster he attended a local academy, initially developing as a top-order batter and left-arm spinner before later rediscovering his love for pace bowling.

Yet cricket took a back seat as studies became the priority.

“I chose to focus on education and played cricket casually for passion,” he explained. “After college, I thought my cricket journey would be over once I got a full-time corporate job. But I wanted to give myself one last chance with cricket, so I quit.”

That leap of faith eventually brought him to Ireland in 2021 to pursue a Master’s degree in Electronics and Communications. It also opened the door to a thriving cricket career with Leinster Cricket Club.

Moondra quickly established himself as one of the most consistent performers in the domestic game and counts Leinster’s Irish Senior Cup triumph in 2023 among his proudest achievements.

“You know how difficult it is to win that competition,” he said. “To get through the finals and actually lift the trophy was a special feeling and one I'll always remember.”

Cricket’s appeal, he says, extends far beyond runs and wickets.

“It tests you from every angle – mentally, technically and physically. Every ball is an opportunity to challenge yourself. Cricket humbles you quickly because you fail more than you succeed, but that's what makes you work harder.”

As a left-arm seamer, Moondra prides himself on aggression and adaptability.

“My angle is my strength. I want to attack the stumps, create pressure and make batters uncomfortable. I don't want to be predictable.”

Now comes the ultimate test against India.

“Playing against one of the best teams in the world is another class of feeling,” he said. “It's going to be a massive challenge, but if I can perform on that stage, it would be something really special.”