Jaydev Unadkat 'Too Old' To Be Considered For Team India Selection: BCCI Selector

Saurashtra left-hand seamer and one of the consistent performers in domestic cricket, Jaydev Unadkat will never be considered for the national team as he is ‘too old’ if a BCCI selector is to be believed.

Jaydev Unadkat has been one of the most consistent players in domestic First-Class cricket over the years. The left-hander was instrumental in Saurashtra winning the Ranji Trophy title back in 2019-20, having claimed as many as 67 wickets during the season.

However, despite his stellar performances, the 29-year-old was once again overlooked for the upcoming Test summer of cricket which will see Team India play the WTC final and a five-match series against the hosts.

Recently former Indian pacer and Saurashtra’s head coach during the 2019-20 season, Karsan Ghavri has revealed that he had spoken to a BCCI selector during the last Ranji Trophy about the chances of Jaydev Unadkat making a comeback to the Indian team.

According to Ghavri, the BCCI selector replied that the selection committee will never consider Jaydev Unadkat because he is ‘too old’.

As per the selector, the selection committee would rather take a punt on a 20-22-year-old than Unadkat.

“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.

“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 made his Test debut for India way back in 2010- vs South Africa at SuperSport Park, Centurion.

He was, however, dumped from the team following a horrendous outing and the 29-year-old is yet to add another Test cap post his debut five-day game.  The left-arm seamer, however, continues to be one of the stalwarts in domestic FC cricket. In 89 FC games, he has claimed as many as 327 wickets at 23.21 with 20 five-fors and 5 ten-wicket-hauls.

Also Read: Next 3-4 Years Of My Career Is My Prime, Hope I Get My Chance: Jaydev Unadkat