In 2002, almost a year after his debut, he picked up his first and only century (an unbeaten 159 off just 147 balls against Zimbabwe) to win the Man of the Match award.

Suspicions remained, however, that kinks in his technique could be exposed on more challenging tracks abroad, and indifferent displays in England resulted in him being relegated to a bit-part role in the tours that followed.

He forced his way back into the 2003 Cricket World Cup squad, where India lost the final against Australia.

However, the tournament was affected by the pull out of the third team, South Africa, due to a bomb explosion in Colombo, and by incessant rain.

Mongia joined Bharatiya Janata Party in December 2021, ahead of the 2022 Punjab Legislative Assembly election.