Jaydev Unadkat has been snubbed for India’s upcoming tours as the 29-year-old pacer is too old to be picked for India, according to a BCCI selector.
Jaydev Unadkat Wasn’t In Plans As The 29 Year Old Is Too Old To Be Considered For Selection: A BCCI Selector Said BCCI Would Rather Invest In Bowlers Who Can Serve For India For 8-12 Years
If performances in India’s premier domestic tournament, Ranji Trophy, is the parameter for the selection in the senior squad, Jaydev Unadkat had done his best job as the left-arm pacer bagged 67 wickets in the 2019-20 season, the most by any bowler in the season.
However, despite his heroics with the ball in the Ranji Trophy, left-arm pacer Jaydev Unadkat wasn’t picked for the Indian squad which will soon leave for the UK. He might be just 29, but as per a Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) selector, he is ‘too told’ to be picked for the senior squad.
Speaking to The Times of India, former Indian pacer Karsan Ghavri, who was also the Saurashtra coach when Jaydev Unadkat shone with the ball in last Ranji Trophy season, revealed that he spoke to a BCCI selector who said the board would not even consider his name.
“I asked a selector during the Ranji Trophy final (2019-20) that if a bowler takes more than 60 wickets and has taken his team into the final of the Ranji Trophy single-handedly, shouldn’t he be at least picked for India A. That selector told me: ‘Kadu bhai, he won’t be picked for India anymore.
“His name is not even considered by us when we think of 30-odd players.’ ‘Why not, I asked him.’ ‘Then what’s the point of him picking so many wickets? I was told that ‘he’s already 32-33. Age is spoiling his case. It has put a full stop to his India career,'” Karsan Ghavri told TOI.
The BCCI selector went on to add that the BCCI would rather invest in a youngster who had 8-10 years of career ahead of him.
“Why should we invest in an older player? We would rather pick a 21, 22 or a 23-year-old player if he’s good, he can serve India for 8-10-12 years. If we pick Unadkat today, how many years will he serve India for?’ This is what that selector told me,” Ghavri added.
Jaydev Unadkat was the key bowler for Saurashtra in back-to-back Ranji seasons. In the 2018-19 season, he claimed 39 wickets as Saurashtra lost against Vidarbha in the final. In the next season, he cranked his performance up by several notches to take 67 wickets and play a significant role in Saurashtra winning the title.
Jaydev Unadkat Has Represented India In A Solitary Test, 7 ODIs And 10 T20Is
Having made his international debut in a Test match against South Africa in 2010, Jaydev Unadkat has so far represented India in 1 Test, 7 ODIs, and 10 T20Is. He picked 8 scalps in 7 ODIs and 14 scalps in 10 T20Is besides the solitary Test. His last T20I appearance came in 2018. In 84 IPL matches, he has 85 scalps besides his name.
His consistent performances in the domestic circuit and IPL helped him gain selection for India’s tour of Zimbabwe in July 2013, where he made his ODI debut. It proved a largely successful trip, as he picked up eight wickets in five matches. He later played two more ODIs in the upcoming home season – against Australia and West Indies – but went wicketless in both. In IPL 2021-his fourth season with the Rajasthan Royals– he picked 4 scalps in as many matches averaging 28.25.
It’s been over 10 years since pacer Jaydev Unadkat, then 19, made his India Test debut. He bowled 26 wicketless overs for 156 runs against South Africa, not a remarkable first appearance but surely not something that would mean it should be his only international appearance in the format so far.