This 29 year old cricketer can also debut with 15 year old Vaibhav Suryavanshi, left the country for studies, know who is Jai Mudra

New Delhi. The T20 series between India and Ireland is going to be very interesting for cricket lovers. On one hand, there is a lot of discussion everywhere about the debut of 15-year-old young sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi in the Indian team, on the other hand, a player from the Irish team is ready to step into international cricket, whose story is no less than a film script. 29-year-old fast bowling all-rounder Jai Mudra is originally Indian and is now standing on the threshold of making his international debut against India wearing the Ireland jersey.

Jai Moondra was born in Tonk near Jaipur in Rajasthan. It was not easy for Jai, who started his cricket from the soil of Rajasthan, to reach the international stage. There came a time when cricket was left far behind due to studies. After completing his college studies in the year 2019, he was standing at a crossroads where he had to decide his career. Instead of getting stuck in a corporate job, he thought of giving cricket one last chance.

With this desire, in the year 2021, Jai Mudra went to Ireland on student visa to pursue a master’s degree in Electronics and Communication. The purpose of going to Ireland was to study, but the cricketer within him was still alive. He joined ‘Leinster Cricket Club’ of Dublin and from here his fortunes took a U-turn. He created a stir in Irish domestic cricket with his lethal bowling. In the year 2023, he played an important role in the Leinster club winning the prestigious ‘Irish Senior Cup’, which brought him in the eyes of the selectors.

When it seemed that cricket career was over, then the national call-up came
When Jai Mudra got the news of being selected in the Ireland national squad, it was an emotional moment for him. Jai himself admitted that at one time he felt that his cricket career was completely over. After practice a day before the match, Mudra said, ‘Playing international cricket was always a dream. I am extremely grateful to Cricket Ireland for this opportunity. I set goals for myself, but don’t stress about the future. I want to enjoy this moment to the fullest. Mudra is on his way to becoming the second male player of Indian origin to play international cricket for Ireland. Before him, Punjab-born Simi Singh has played 35 ODI and 53 T20 matches for Ireland.

spinner turned fast bowler
Jai Mudra’s cricketing journey took many interesting turns. Initially, he started improving himself as a fast bowler, but by the age of 16, he became a top-order batsman and left-arm spinner. After this, during his college days, he again discovered his speed while playing with tennis ball and then leather ball. As a left-arm fast bowler, his pace again thrilled him and he returned to seam bowling.

Jai adopts a very aggressive and unpredictable approach with his bowling. Being a left-handed bowler, the natural angle he gets allows him to swing the new ball and forces the batsmen to make mistakes. Apart from this, as the innings progresses, he uses variations like slower balls and cutters very well. Even in batting, he considers himself an expert in adjusting himself according to the situation.

Challenge of playing against India
Making a debut against one of the strongest teams in the world and world champion India is a big challenge for any player. Jai also understands this very well. He said, ‘Playing against India is a feeling of a different level. We know it will be a huge challenge, but performing against one of the best teams in the world will be something very special and memorable. While the eyes of Indian fans will be on their young stars in the first T20 match to be held in Belfast, 29 year old Jai Mudra will take the field with the intention of creating history. Going to Ireland on a student visa and making it to the national team there is a living example of his hard work, sacrifice and never-say-die spirit.