Sanjay Manjrekar was overall pleased with India’s squad for the Sri Lanka tour, but there is one player the former India batsman reckons was dealt a rough hand by not getting included.
India’s squad for the tour of Sri Lanka was an indication of the BCCI rewarding the consistent performers of those doing well in the IPL. Devdutt Padikkal, Chetan Sakariya, and Ruturaj Gaikwad – three of the uncapped players who earned their maiden India call-up – performed splendidly well in the IPL 2021 before the tournament was halted. Nevertheless, their hard work paid off in the form of an India call-up.
Sanjay Manjrekar Wondered Whether Selectors Would Have Included Jaydev Unadkat As A Net Bowler
Sanjay Manjrekar reacted to the 20-member squad announced by the BCCI, and while he was overall pleased with the names that made the list except for Jaydev Unadkat.
“I wonder whether they would have included Unadkat as a net bowler considering his experience and he’s an India player… a seasoned First-Class bowler. He’s unlucky to miss out. When you look at the seam department, it’s not the strongest because the quality bowlers are playing Test cricket for India,” Sanjay Manjrekar told ESPNCricinfo.
Jaydev Unadkat has been in stellar form in the First-class circuit, emerging as the leading wicket-taker of the last season of Ranji Trophy, where he picked up 67 wickets. In IPL 2021-his fourth season with the Rajasthan Royals– he picked 4 scalps in as many matches averaging 28.25.
Sanjay Manjrekar: Jaydev Unadkat’s Never Been An IPL Raging Success As He Has Been Brilliant At The First Class Level
However, Sanjay Manjrekar made an interesting point, explaining how Jaydev Unadkat’s success in the IPL may not have been on par with some of his peers. But the fact that the left-arm pacer was not even included in the squad as a net bowler sends a message, Sanjay Manjrekar believes.
“Unadkat would feel hard done by. He’s never been an IPL raging success. I mean, he has been brilliant at the First-class level. This year though I think there were a couple of performances where he’s shown his class. So yes, there are a few that you would think have missed out. But that’s always the case,” he said.
“When you look at the seam-bowling options, you’ve got a Sakariya, you’ve got someone like a Pandya who can bowl. Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Saini… maybe Unadkat might have felt he could have got a nod there.”
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 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 for the UK tour comprising of the WTC Final and 5 Tests against hosts England. 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.
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.