In domestic cricket, Jaydev Unadkat and Cheteshwar Pujara have become household names for Saurashtra. However, Pujara played 97 red-ball matches for India between Unadkat’s two Test matches, establishing himself as the No. 3 in renowned batting order.
Pujara was thrilled when Unadkat, who had been called up to replace Mohammed Shami, finally arrived in Chattogram following a visa delay and was dressed in Indian whites. That was heartfelt, and I could tell he was delighted for me “After returning from Bangladesh, Unadkat told PTI. “Being able to play with him was unique.
He advised me to keep working hard throughout the years in order to receive that chance. He has been a member of the team for more than ten years, and because of that, I admire him and aspire to be just like him. His ability to play 98 Tests through the highs and lows of his career has been a huge source of inspiration for me.”
Unadkat had a dismal Test debut 12 years ago, having recently left the India Under-19 team. In the lone innings India bowled in the Test against South Africa, he produced stats of 0 for 101. However, in his second Test against Bangladesh last week, the left-arm seamer, who is 31 years old, capitalised on his extensive local experience.
After Bangladesh decided to bat, India went nearly 15 overs without picking up a wicket with the new ball. Zakir Hasan and Najmul Hossain Shanto were vigilant and steady. Unadkat, who was introduced as the first change, maintained placing the ball in the area around off stump and kept altering his length on the level Mirpur track.
His maiden wicket in a Test match came when he finally got a length ball to jump off a decent length and had Hasan caught at gully. The circumstances were comparable to Rajkot. There wasn’t a lot of pace off the wicket, so you’ll need to strike the length hard to get as much as you can. I gained that additional bounce because I felt if I played to my abilities, something will come my way.
Kuldeep Yadav, the player of the match in the first Test, was replaced by Unadkat in India’s XI for the second match, a decision that split opinion. India chose three seamers on a wicket that was predicted to turn as the game progressed after fielding three spinners in the opening game. Unadkat claimed that the added strain of replacing Kuldeep did not bother him.
He added, “I just wanted to help. The notion was that. Domestic cricket has been really beneficial to me in that regard. Even if you aren’t taking wickets, you may still be a bowler since you have a job to do. You may apply pressure and cast uncertainty on the hitter, which other bowlers might use to their advantage.