2018 IPL Price Tag Gives Me Belief On My Ability: Jaydev Unadkat

Fast-bowler Jaydev Unadkat might have failed to justify his huge price tag at the 2018 Indian Premier League (IPL) auction but has said it gives him the belief for the rest of his career. The left-arm bowler said the price tag will always assure him that he has the skills that would force a team to make him their priority.

Jaydev Unadkat earned the hefty deal after his breakout season with Rising Pune Supergiant in 2017. The Saurashtra star starred with the ball to help the now-defunct side make it to the final where it lost to Mumbai Indians. He finished the season as the second highest wicket-taker, taking 24 wickets at an average of 13.41.

Few months later, Rajasthan Royals spent a whopping amount of Rs 11.5 crore to secure his services. It made him the most expensive Indian cricketer to be sold in the auction. However, he failed to justify the price tag as he managed just 11 wickets in 15 games while conceding nearly 10 runs per over.

“The 2018 auction has been the talking point about my career for a couple of years. It was the auction I was looking forward to after having a good season in 2017 and then making a comeback into the national team; it was going to be a big auction. I was certain that whichever franchise will pick me up, it will be a long term relationship.

“I was happy that it was Rajasthan Royals who actually pick the players on the basis of the data analysis on them and not just the names,” said Jaydev Unadkat in a video interview with his Royals teammate Ish Sodhi on the IPL franchise’s Facebook page.

The poor season also saw him lose his place in the Indian T20 squad. His price was brought up every time he failed throughout the season but Jaydev Unadkat said that it will always be proof of the ability he possesses.

“I was happy that I was right up there in their books. They showed a lot of trust and confidence in buying me for that price,” he said.

“What that has done is it has given me a belief that is going to stay with me for the rest of my career that I have those skills. Yes, I was not good enough in the seasons since but I still know that I have those skills inside me. If I am able to have as much confidence as I have on them now, I am actually going to live up to those expectations that everyone has on me,” he added.

The fast-bowler, nonetheless, had a stunning outing in the last Ranji Trophy. Last month, he led Saurashtra to the Ranji Trophy title. Jaydev Unadkat led the team from the very front and finished the season as the highest wicket-taker with 67 wickets.

Also Read: “He Will Destroy You”: Ricardo Powell Names The ‘Cleanest Hitter Of The Ball’

Also Read: Last Three Days Of India vs Australia 2014 Adelaide Test Felt Like War: Ian Gould