Saurashtra pacer Jaydev Unadkat had a memorable Ranji Trophy season in 2019/20 when he led his domestic team to their maiden title. The record-breaking season saw him picking 67 wickets. However, this proved not enough to make the cut for Team India’s selection. But Unadkat is unmoved by his snub and feels he will be in his prime for the next three to four years.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the squad for the forthcoming England tour and Unadkat failed to make a cut even as a net bowler. Former selector Sarandeep Singh was also taken by surprise by his omission.
“I will be biased if I talk about my selection (non-selection in this case). I genuinely believe that I am in a phase of my career where the next three, four years I will be at my prime,” Unadkat told PTI.
Also Read: Jaydev Unadkat shares his disappointment after not getting selected
“I’ve been taking those wickets as well, it actually proves the fact that I am in a good space and I’m finding ways to get people out on different tracks in different conditions. And because of that, I do believe that my time will come.
“The selection again is a tricky thing and normally you would have performance of India A tours to consider besides domestic cricket but that hasn’t happened in the pandemic,” he added.
Unadkat was instrumental in Saurashtra’s success with his 67 wickets in the 2019-20 season. The majority of his wickets came on the flat deck of Rajkot with both old and new ball. It will be interesting to see whether he makes the cut for the Sri Lanka tour or not.
Also Read: Jaydev Unadkat feels motivated despite being overlooked from India’s Test squad
“I know the life of a fast bowler is quite limited, but I still have that much time and all I can do now is, prepare for the next season, or whatever is coming up, even if anything comes up before the next season, I will be more than ready to take it,” Unadkat said.
“I just feel more motivated than ever to keep doing what I am doing to keep taking wickets, keep pushing my own limits and pushing those standards higher and higher.”
The left-arm pacer didn’t have enjoyable outings in the Indian Premier League in recent years. But he was in good form during the recently-suspended IPL 2021. He revealed how a chat from Kumar Sangakkara made things clear for him ahead of IPL 2021.
“Though it was my fourth season with the team, Sangakkara wanted me to start afresh. The management wanted wickets from me with the new ball this season and I was able to do alright on that front whenever I got to play,” Unadkat added.
“It was obviously a tough experience with the thing with the way things were shaping outside the IPL bubble. You were praying for everyone’s well being outside. Inside the bubble, the management was doing all that it could to do to take care of us,” Unadkat concluded.
