Pakistani legend Wasim Akram has opened that India should look to play left-arm pacer Jaydev Unadkat in the upcoming World Test Championship (WTC 2023) final which will be played at the Oval against Australia from June 7-11.
Unadkat is one of the five specialist pacers selected in India’s 15-man squad; however, management is likely to go with Mohammed Siraj, Mohammed Shami, and Umesh Yadav for the particular fixture. Unadkat has played only two Tests so far and none in England.
India had made the final of the WTC in 2021 as well when they fell short against New Zealand in Southampton and this time they will have a stiffer opponent in Australia who have a better pace battery suited to the England conditions.
There Are Chances Of Him Being Successful: Wasim Akram On Jaydev Unadkat
Speaking to Sportskeeda, the 56-year-old reckons Unadkat has reached a stage where he must play regularly. Akram recalled bonding closely with the Saurashtra pacer during his time as Kolkata Knight Riders bowling coach and how eager he was to keep learning.
Unadkat recently played his first Test match for India against Bangladesh in 2022 after more than a decade since his debut in South Africa in 2010.
Akram said. “He is at a stage where he must play regularly because his first-class performances have been good and his team won the Ranji Trophy. Jaydev Unadkat was also the captain. When I met him, he was 18 years old and wanted to keep learning. He was a very humble boy and keen to learn.
Mohammed Shami used to pick me up from the airport and they used to sit with me in the evening for tea. I feel happy seeing players I’ve worked with perform well. They are representing their country and gaining worldwide recognition. I would like to see Unadkat playing for India and there are chances of him being successful, given the ball swings at The Oval.”
Unadkat finished the 2022-23 Ranji Trophy with 26 wickets in four games at 13.88.