After taking the Saurashtra to their maiden Ranji Trophy in the last season, Jaydev Unadkat has been named the captain of the Saurashtra team for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, which is scheduled to begin from 10th of January in 2021.
The Saurashtra Cricket Association (SCA) on Friday announced the 20-member squad through a media release after its senior selection committee held an online meeting.
Jaydev Unadkat can become the first Saurashtra captain to lift Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy:
Jaydev Unadkat had a poor Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020, proving to be too expensive bowler for Rajasthan Royals. It will be interesting to see how Unadkat performs in a 20-over domestic format with the additional burden of leading the team.
Contrastingly, Jaydev Unadkat has also the golden opportunity to lead Saurashtra to lift their maiden Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. The side has not even reached the final of the tournament. The state board will hope as he has guided his side to maiden Ranji Trophy, he can repeat that miracle in the shortest format.
Saurashtra in Group D:
Saurashtra is placed in Elite Group D along with Services, Vidarbha, Goa, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. The league matches will be played at Indore.
As far as the squad is concerned Prerak Mankad, Chirag Jani, left-handed batsman Arpit Vasavada, wicket-keeper-batsman Harvik Desai, who were undoubtedly going to play, have been named.
The bowling attack, to be led by Unadkat, also has left-arm pacer Chetan Sakariya and slow-left arm orthodox bowler Dharmendrasinh Jadeja.
Saurashtra Squad: Jaydev Unadkat (Captain), Chirag Jani, Dharmendrasinh Jadeja, Avi Barot, Harvik Desai, Arpit Vasavada, Samarth Vyas, Vishwarajsinh Jadeja, Chetan Sakariya, Prerak Mankad, Divyarajsinh Chauhan, Vandit Jivrajani, Parth Bhut, Agnivesh Ayachi, Kunal Karamchandani, Yuvraj Chudasama, Himalay Barad, Kushang Patel, Parth Chauhan and Devang Karamta.