Former Indian left-arm pacer and present Saurashtra coach Karsan Ghavri believes that the left-arm pacer Jaydev Unadkat deserves to play Test cricket for India.
Recently, Saurashtra won their first Ranji Trophy. Their captain Jaydev Unadkat inspired the team to create this history as the 28-year-old left-arm pacer Jaydev Unadkat took 67 wickets in the Ranji Trophy 2019/20. While he finished as the most wicket-taker in this season, he was just a wicket away from the record of most wickets in a Ranji Trophy season.
Undoubtedly, Unadkat led the side from the front to not only play their second successive Ranji Trophy final but also guided the team to secure the trophy.
Karsan Ghavri believes that Unadkat now deserves to play for the Indian Test team.
Ghavri told TOI, “The way he bowled and captained in Ranji Trophy, it was extraordinary. With this performance, he deserves (an) India call-up now. Whenever selectors sit next to pick India’s Test team, Unadkat should be picked.”
Jaydev Unadkat made his international debut in December 2010 during the Centurion Test against the hosts South Africa. While it was his only Test where he finished with the wicketless bowling figures, he has also played seven ODIs (8 wickets) and ten T20Is (14 wickets).
Since the legendary left-arm pacer Zaheer Khan moved out from the Indian team, the team tried with various other left-arm pacers. However, all of them failed to sustain their international career for a long time.
Ghavri believes this is the best time for the national team to pick up Unadkat as he is now mature bowler.
Ghavri claimed, “India have tried a number of left-arm pacers after Zaheer. Look, for me the best option to fill that void (left-arm pacer) is Jaydev. He is in form, available, performing, taking wickets and young enough to be in the Indian side. He should be given an opportunity now.
“Virat (Kohli), coach Ravi (Shastri) and selectors should sit and make the Indian team in the best possible way. India have tried a number of left-arm pacers and I believe Unadkat is the best fit for Kohli’s search for a perfect left-arm pacer. Unadkat is mature and can fill the left-arm pace void in Kohli’s team.”
Jaydev Unadkat is mature and a proper package of being a fast bowler
India are likely to play their next Test during the Australia tour in the late of this year. In this tour, they will play the four-match Test series against the hosts.
While the present Indian team has no left-arm pacer, Ghavri feels that Unadkat should be considered first in the absence of any current regular right-arm pacer.
Ghavri added, “In the next Test series, if selectors want to rest any one of the pacers – Ishant, Bumrah or Shami – then Unadkat should be considered first. He tops the chart without any doubt. He has played only one Test in his career (vs South Africa in Centurion in 2010) and that was long back. He was raw at that point of time and now he is mature and a proper package of being a fast bowler.”
Jaydev Unadkat last time played for India during the final of Nidahas Trophy 2018 against Bangladesh at Colombo (RPS) on 18th March 2018.