More than 4,000 fans packed Stormont under the Belfast sun on Friday as Ireland beat India by 34 runs in the opening T20. Jai Moondra, India-born and making his international debut, delivered 2-26 and struck early with the first ball to dismiss Sanju Samson as
More than 4,000 fans poured into Stormont on Friday, arriving under the Belfast sun for what they expected would be a slice of cricket history. By the end of it, they got it — just not in the way anyone had planned.
The build-up to Ireland’s opening T20 against India had been dominated by the possibility of the world champions handing a record-breaking debut to Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. At 15 years and 91 days old. he had been on the verge of becoming India’s youngest international. propelled by a rapid rise into the national set after stunning exploits in the Indian Premier League.
But Sooryavanshi never made it into the line-up. That absence could have swallowed the momentum. Instead, it left the day to Ireland — a day shaped by a gutsy performance with six players missing through injury.
Ireland’s bowling did the heavy lifting as the hosts sealed a memorable 34-run win. It was not just a triumph over a top-ranked opponent; it was a first senior international win over the tourists in all competitions — adding another name to a growing list of scalps that includes Pakistan and England at the 2007 and 2011 World Cups.
On a day built on impact moments, one key actor stood out: India-born pacer Jai Moondra. Making his international debut, Moondra produced figures of 2-26 and struck early, removing Sanju Samson with his first delivery.
After the match. Moondra described the pressure and the pride of stepping onto the international stage—especially in front of family and teammates who were. in his words. all rooting for him. “It was a big stage for me. for my family and my team members. they were all rooting for me so all I can do is keep calm and keep doing what I have been doing because it’s kept me levelling up. ” he said. He added that he will “cherish” his debut for the “rest of my life”.
He also talked about the split-second battle in his head as the match unfolded: excitement, but discipline. “I was feeling excitement at the same time. Testing myself against India and getting a first-ball wicket, I was trying not to be overwhelmed because we still had nine wickets to go.”
For Moondra, the win was about more than numbers. “It is a dream come true to get on to an international platform and play against India. It’s something special, a class feeling.”
Ireland may have missed six players through injury, but on Friday they refused to let that story write itself into defeat. In the end, the crowd didn’t just witness a famous scalp — it watched a debut turn into a turning point.
Ireland vs India T20 Jai Moondra Stormont Belfast sun Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Sanju Samson India debut Irish win by 34 runs injury absences