A tale of two potential debuts

Even as there is a heavy build-up around the potential international debut of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in Belfast in two days' time, another Indian-born cricketer, albeit not quite as young, is also being tipped to make his international debut on Friday. Just that he is from the rival camp and Irish cricket observers believe Jai Moondra brings a different dimension to their attack with his left-arm seam bowling and could be in contention for a debut against India.

But first about Sooryavanshi. The teenage sensation has become a rockstar of sorts in that part of the world. There are reports that the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) will have to provide a separate changing room for the 15-year-old. According to a report in The Guardian, ICC and ECB regulations prohibit players under the age of 16 from using adult changing rooms.

There is also some indication that members of the Rajasthan Royals management, currently in London for the franchise's season review, could take the weekend off and travel to Belfast in anticipation of Sooryavanshi's potential debut. As images circulating on social media have shown, Sooryavanshi's father is already in London and was recently seen with senior members of the Royals management.

The developments add to the buzz around Sooryavanshi, and there is more information that Cricket Ireland may add some temporary stands to the ground which has a capacity of just 4,200. "There is a lot of excitement here in Belfast and Ireland. The Indian team is always popular here and this time the craze is more because of Sooryavanshi.

"I have heard that they are building temporary stands to increase the capacity from 4,200 to 7,000 so that more spectators can be accommodated. I hear many Indians from European countries will be here," MV Narasimha Rao, who played for both India and Ireland, tells Cricbuzz.

The build-up around Moondra's potential debut may not be quite as intense, but the 29-year-old left-arm seamer has generated considerable interest in Irish cricket circles. Considered the quickest bowler from Leinster, Ireland's most populous province, the India-born cricketer is expected to feature in the opening game in Belfast on Friday. A native of the Rajasthan town of Tonk, Moondra admitted he was left "speechless" when he received the call-up to the Ireland squad.

"To play international cricket was always a dream. I'm really grateful to Cricket Ireland for giving me this opportunity. While I set goals for myself, I also focus on each game. I have targets, but I don't get stressed about the future. I try to enjoy the moment - and that's what I intend to do with the India series," he told Cricket Ireland.

Moondra moved to Ireland in 2021 to pursue a Master's degree in Electronics and Communication. Upon arriving in the country, he joined Leinster Cricket Club in Dublin. Interestingly, he did not start out as a pace bowler. Initially, Moondra was a batter who could bowl left-arm spin. Over time, he transitioned to pace bowling, first with a tennis ball and later with a cricket ball, eventually developing into a left-arm seamer.

Records show he has played only one first-class match for Leinster, in addition to six List A games and five T20 matches. Now he is looking forward to the India game. "I know it's going to be a massive challenge - playing against India is another class of feeling, but to perform against one of the best teams in the world would be something special."

If he were to make his debut, Moondra would join a special list of players of Indian origin to have represented Ireland. The more prominent names on that list include Raman Lamba and Simi Singh. Another name is Robin Waters, who was born in Calcutta (now Kolkata). He was part of the famous Ireland side that bowled out the West Indies for 25 in 1969.

Kapil Dev had once played club cricket for a team in Northern Ireland, though not international cricket for the country. But the man of the moment, apart from Sooryavanshi, is Bobby Rao. Rao has been given the honour of ringing the Roy Torrens Bell at Stormont Cricket Ground in Belfast on Sunday to announce the start of the match.

"I hope it will be a good match and that India will bat first. I hope India elect to bat if they win the toss. I am sure Ireland will choose to bowl first to exploit the early seam movement. The weather has been excellent since Monday and it should make for a good game. I haven't seen much of Jai, but it would be great if he gets to make his debut in either of the matches. And it would be equally great if Sooryavanshi also gets to make his debut," says Rao, who played four Tests for India and six matches for Ireland.

Click here to read article