Jaydev Unadkat’s start-stop career is finally on the right track. The 26-year old burst onto the scene way back in 2010 after showing promising signs in the Under-19 World Cup but could not leave a mark on his Test debut against South Africa, conceding over 100 runs at an economy of almost 4 and failed to take even a single wicket.
Three years later, in 2013 he made his ODI debut against Zimbabwe on the back of some impressive performance in IPL and domestic cricket, but he soon disappeared from the scene due to inconsistent performances and injuries.
A stress fracture which he sustained in 2014 forced him to spend a considerable time off the field and as a result, he managed to play just one Ranji Trophy game in the 2014-15 season, four in the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 tournament and made one appearance for Delhi Daredevils in IPL 2015.
However, he hit the ground running after recovering from the injury. He made a stunning comeback in the 2015-16 Ranji Trophy season, taking as many as 40 wickets that included four five-wicket hauls to help Saurashtra make it to the final. And he continued his form in this year’s Indian Premier League too, playing a vital role in Rising Pune Supergiant’s march to the final.
The Saurashtra star took 24 wickets in just 12 games at 13.41 including a five-wicket haul and was behind only Bhuvneshwar Kumar in the list of this year’s highest wicket-taker. His impressive form continued in the two warm-up games against New Zealand. After taking three wickets in the first game on Tuesday (October 17), he picked up four on Thursday (October 19) but unfortunately his latter effort went in vain.
Speaking after the game, Unadkat said bowling in the IPL is the reason behind his newly-found confidence.
“The way I was bowling in the IPL gave me a lot of confidence, and sometimes it’s all about confidence for a bowler. I am looking in good rhythm and I am confident of bowling what I want to bowl,” he said.
Unadkat also impressed with his bat. He smashed five fours, and three sixes in his knock of 44 as Board President’s XI managed to put up 310 while chasing a daunting 344.
Commenting on his batting, he said:
“I did (add a new dimension to my game). I was batting well since the last two seasons in domestic cricket, but I have got the confidence now and I am happy that it is working well on the bigger stage and today’s innings will boost my confidence.”