Cheteshwar Pujara with Jaydev Unadkat (Photo- The Hindu)
Table of Contents
Saurashtra and India fast bowler Jaydev Unadkat still harbors the dream of playing Test cricket for India, after his lone appearance coming in 2010 on the South Africa tour. He recently mentioned that fellow teammate Cheteshwar Pujara told him that he was ready to play Test cricket for India, it meant a lot for him.
Following impressive performances in the IPL, the left-arm fast bowler got back into the reckoning between 2016 and 2018, but despite generating fruitful performances in the domestic circuit, continues to miss the cut for India selection.
Jaydev Unadkat. Image Credits: Twitter
Jaydev Unadkat himself was hoping to be on the tour of England especially as India lacked a left-arm pacer after T Natarajan underwent surgery and was rehabbing. He was coming off a good Ranji Trophy as well, picking up 67 wickets for Saurashtra in the 2019-20 season. However, he was overlooked due to the presence of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav, and Mohammed Siraj.
Arzan Nagaswalla, a left-arm pacer was chosen as a standby player instead for the tour.
Cheteshwar Has Been A Dear Friend, When He Said Last Year That I Am Ready To Play Test Cricket, That Did Mean Something To Me: Jaydev Unadkat
The 29-year-old has not lost hope and is determined to do his best to play Tests again for India. Meanwhile, he spoke about his equation with Saurashtra and India batting star Cheteshwar Pujara and revealed how his words touched him deeply.
“Cheteshwar has been a dear friend to me and we’ve played cricket together for a number of years. But when he said last year that I am ready to play Test cricket, that did mean something to me, because he was obviously the first one to stand and tell me if I was not doing well,” Jaydev Unadkat told SportsKeeda.
Cheteshwar Pujara with Jaydev Unadkat (Photo- The Hindu)
“Five-six years ago when I had returned from an injury, he had told me that I had to work on my fitness. He has been honest with me and last season he told me that this is me at my best so those things do mean a lot. A couple of other guys also told me that I deserved to be there and that I would get my chance soon,” Jaydev Unadkat signed off.
Jaydev Unadkat will be seen in action when he turns out for Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the upcoming second phase of the IPL 2021, which will be played in the UAE from Sept-Oct.
Also Read: The Summer In England Promises To Be The Golden Summer Of Indian Cricket: Sunil Gavaskar
