Rajasthan's Jai Mundra to play for Ireland in T20I...

By Priya Nair — 25 June 2026 — 3 min read

Jai Mundra, a bowling all-rounder originally from Rajasthan, has received his inaugural international call-up for Ireland. He has been named in the national squad for the forthcoming T20I series against India. This selection marks a significant milestone for Mundra, who could potentially make his international debut against his birth country.

Mundra’s journey to the Ireland national team began in 2021 when he relocated to Ireland on a student visa to pursue an M.Tech degree. Throughout his academic pursuits and subsequent professional career, he consistently engaged in cricket. His dedication to the sport saw him steadily advance through various ranks within the Irish cricketing structure. After acquiring Irish citizenship in 2025, his strong and consistent performances on the field drew the attention of national selectors, ultimately securing his place in the team.

Family members have highlighted Mundra’s aggressive bowling style and robust batting performances as key factors in his selection. These attributes were instrumental in impressing the selectors and earning him a spot in the Ireland squad for the series, which is scheduled to commence on June 26.

Family’s joy and Mundra’s journey

The news of Mundra’s selection has been met with widespread celebration among his family and in his hometown in the Tonk district of Rajasthan. His mother, Vidya Mundra, conveyed her immense happiness to reporters, noting that this achievement fulfills a long-held childhood dream for her son. She described the feeling as special, with many people reaching out and visiting to share in their joy. Vidya Mundra emphasised that despite his studies and later his job, Jai Mundra always maintained a strong focus on cricket, working diligently to catch the eye of the selectors.

Mansi, Jai Mundra’s younger sister, also shared her delight, stating her happiness that her brother’s dream has come true. She mentioned that her brother has been playing cricket since childhood and that the entire family is thrilled with his selection. The family’s sentiments underscore the personal significance of this call-up for Mundra, representing the culmination of years of effort and dedication to the sport.

The T20I series against India is set to be a two-match affair, scheduled from June 26 to June 28, 2026. Both matches will take place at the Stormont Cricket Ground in Belfast. This series will also mark a significant occasion for India, as Shreyas Iyer will lead the side in T20Is for the first time. On the Ireland side, Lorcan Tucker will captain a youthful squad.

Jai Mundra gets maiden Ireland call-up to play against India (Image: Cricket Ireland) Credit: m.economictimes.com

Squad details for the T20I series

The squads for the upcoming T20I series have been announced, featuring a mix of experienced players and emerging talent for both nations. India’s squad will be led by Shreyas Iyer as captain, with Tilak Varma serving as vice-captain. Other notable players in the Indian lineup include Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Varun Chakravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Prince Yadav, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, and Suryansh Shedge, who replaced the injured Nitish Kumar Reddy.

For Ireland, the squad will be captained by Lorcan Tucker. The 14-member team includes Ross Adair, Ben Calitz, Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, Stephen Doheny, Matthew Humphreys, Gavin Hoey, Matthew Hollard, Liam McCarthy, Jai Mundra, Harry Tector, Tim Tector, and Reuben Wilson. Jai Mundra’s inclusion in this squad highlights his progress and the faith placed in his abilities by the national selectors.

The series presents a unique opportunity for Mundra to compete against players from his country of origin, adding an emotional layer to his international debut. The matches at Stormont Cricket Ground are anticipated to be keenly contested, with both teams eager to perform well in the T20I format. The series is scheduled to conclude on June 28, 2026.