How Jaydev Unadkat Stood Ground Where Mitchell Starc Failed

Flat tracks have been batting paradise where bowlers have toiled hard to find wickets. But Saurashtra captain Jaydev Unadkat had a different story on a flat track in Rajkot where premier Australia fast bowler Mitchell Starc once recorded his careers worst figures.

In January, when Australia toured India, Starc was in the thick of things for his poor bowling spells. At the Saurashra Cricket Association Stadium in Rajkot, Starc conceded 78 runs and went wicketless in his stipulated 10 overs.

Sensational Jaydev Unadkat spell in final session

In the Ranji trophy semi-final between Gujarat and Saurashtra, the home side had not picked up a wicket in 42 overs. Unadkat did not hit the timber since the 15th over of the innings. But then comes the 28-year-old steaming in, in the 67th over.

He gets an edge off the set Parthiv Patel from a good length delivery which shaped away from him to break a 158-run stand. In the very next delivery, he dismisses Axar Patel, by taking a brilliant low catch off his own delivery.

It was then onto Gujarat’s Chirag Gandhi to show some resilience but he too failed in front of the fiery pace from Unadkat. And then he sends back tailender Arzan Nagwasawalla to book a final berth for Saurashtra in the prestigious Ranji trophy.

Not many watch domestic cricket in India: Jaydev Unadkat

Unadkat set a new record for a fast bowler in the Ranji trophy with his brilliant display in the semi-final against Gujarat. It was not an easy feat to achieve as the belter-of-a-track favoured the batsmen.

“I understand that not many watch domestic cricket in India and only those who do will be able to appreciate what I have achieved in Rajkot,” Unadkat was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times.

“Yes, at times bowling here has been hard. What really drove me was this notion that only spinners can win matches for Saurashtra. Whenever I heard that, I used to get very offended as a fast bowler,” he added.