Came to Ireland five years ago for studies and work, still searching for a permanent job: Jai Moondra’s journey from IT job hunt to cricket glory

BELFAST: Sunday became a historic day for Ireland in T20 cricket as the underdogs stunned world champions India by winning the two-match series 2-0. Left-arm pacer Jai Moondra was named the Player of the Series after delivering a match-winning performance.

The 29-year-old cricketer from Tonk, Rajasthan, moved to Ireland in 2021 for higher studies and career opportunities. Five years later, he has become a key figure in Irish cricket history, playing a major role in one of the country’s biggest victories against India.

Moondra claimed five wickets across the two matches and impressed with his pace and accuracy. His biggest moments came against Indian batters Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma. The left-arm pacer dismissed Samson with his very first delivery in both games. In the second match, he also removed Samson’s opening partner Abhishek Sharma with the first ball he bowled.

However, Moondra’s journey off the field is equally remarkable. While he stunned India on the cricket ground, the cricketer is still searching for a full-time job in Ireland’s IT sector.

According to his LinkedIn profile, Moondra is currently marked as “Open to Work.” He completed his master’s degree in Electronics and Communication Engineering in Ireland in 2022 and later worked at Intel as a Project Development Engineer. However, he left the company in June 2025 and has been looking for new career opportunities for nearly a year.

Moondra is now seeking employment opportunities in Ireland and across Europe while continuing his cricket career. His outstanding performance against India has brought him into the spotlight, turning his job search journey into an inspiring cricket success story.