Jaydev Unadkat gave Sunrisers Hyderabad a dream start with the ball in a must-win clash against Mumbai Indians in IPL 2025 at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium. Defending a modest total of 143, the pressure was on SRH’s bowlers to deliver something extraordinary, and Unadkat stunningly rose to the occasion.
Taking the new ball, the experienced left-arm pacer struck in just his second over to send back MI opener Ryan Rickelton, setting the tone for what SRH hoped would be a spirited bowling display. It wasn’t just the wicket but the manner in which he claimed it that caught everyone’s attention.
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On the second ball of the over, Unadkat delivered a back-of-a-length delivery from outside off, angling it in towards the left-hander. Rickelton attempted to work it on the leg side but misread the pace and bounce. The bat face closed too early, resulting in a leading edge that ballooned in the air.
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Jaydev Unadkat, in his follow-through, showed terrific reflexes. He instinctively stuck out his left hand and latched onto a sharp return catch that stunned both teammates and opponents alike. His animated celebration that followed—arms aloft and disbelief etched on his face—said it all. It was a moment of brilliance, one that could very well change the complexion of the game.
What a start! Unadkat strikes gold in his very first over, removing the dangerous Rickelton!
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While SRH’s batting earlier in the evening had revolved around the heroic efforts of Abhinav Manohar and Heinrich Klaasen, it was now down to the bowlers to defend the under-par score. Unadkat’s early strike not only dented Mumbai’s top order but also ignited belief within the SRH camp—especially after a fighting finish with the bat and a bit of good fortune, like Suryakumar Yadav’s costly dropped catch off Manohar, had already shifted momentum their way.
