Hunger To Play For India Never Been Stronger Than Now: Jaydev Unadkat

Saurashtra cricket team’s captain Jaydev Unadkat stood at the forefront as his side clinched their maiden Ranji Trophy title on Friday by beating Bengal in Rajkot. The left-arm pacer became the highest wicket-taker in the competition, bagging 67 wickets in ten matches at a stunning average of 13.23. And after such a sensational performance, Unadkat has his sights firmly set on playing for the national side again.

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Apart from being the leading wicket-taker in the season, Unadkat also bowled match-winning spells in both final and semi-final. He took seven wickets against Gujarat and on Friday, he affected a run-out that sent back the well-set batsman Anustup Majumdar to tilt the scales mainly in favour of Saurashtra.

The left-arm seamer said that hunger is still alive within him to represent the national side again. He further claimed that it was challenging physically to bowl those longer spells continuously; however, the strong desire to play for India kept him going. Unadkat was over the moon, claiming that he is the happiest leader right now to have led his team to a historic victory.

“I still have that hunger to make a comeback. The hunger has never been stronger than this and that actually kept me going throughout the season. To be honest, it was challenging physically surviving the season. Bowling those long spells as s fast bowler in almost every game. I just want to keep this phase going. I don’t want to end it here. Yes, we have won the trophy and I’m the happiest captain in the word right now if I can say that.” Unadkat said as quoted by Times of India.

Cheteswhar Pujara advocates Jaydev Unadkat’s selection in the Indian side:

India’s Test specialist Cheteshwar Pujara backed Unadkat’s selection in the Indian team by saying that he would be shocked if he wouldn’t get the nod. He showered praises on him by conceding that he has performed exceptionally well throughout the edition and that having taken 67 wickets, there isn’t a better performer in the Ranji trophy.

“I agree Jaydev has bowled exceptionally well throughout the season. If someone takes 67 wickets in a season, I don’t think there is anyone who can perform better in the Ranji Trophy. There has to be a lot of importance to Ranji Trophy performance to get picked for the Indian team. Jaydev was modest if he would not be thinking about the Indian call but I will be surprised if he is not picked in the Indian team” the 31-year old mentioned, who played well despite being ill.

The 28-year old last played for the men in blue back in 2018. His last of the seven ODIs came in 2013 while he featured in his lone Test in 2010.

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