Jaydev Unadkat keeps the fire burning, stays hopeful of a comeback in national colours

Apart from proving to be an able leader for Saurashtra, Unadkat has evolved as a bowler, who can deliver irrespective of the pitch or circumstances. This quality has been on ample show in the ongoing Duleep Trophy, in which he has picked up 19 wickets thus far for West Zone. With the heart of a lion and nerves of steel, the domestic stalwart has made consistency the hallmark of his career.

On his growth over the past few seasons, Unadkat said, “I see it in two parts. Me as a red-ball and white-ball bowler. With the red ball, I have been consistent over the past 4-5 seasons.

I don’t really see statistics every game, but I have been able to pick up wickets in all the games that I have played since 2015-16. At the moment, that is my strength. Give me any condition and I’m right up there in assessing it, changing the angles and finding ways to take wickets." On his white-ball game, he pointed out, “With the white ball, it has been a challenge.

With the way I started in the IPL, after the 2017 season I’ve had ups and downs. But after the Covid-break, I am better equipped in swinging the new white ball and that’s what was on show in the Vijay Hazare last season. I could swing the new white ball more than before.

I have become better, but white ball is always a learning process, trying to bowl those yorkers consistently and a couple of variations as well.” Assessing conditions and situations is surely Unadkat’s strength. A case in point is the ongoing Duleep Trophy final here. In the first innings, the pacer came wide of the crease from around the wicket while angling it in before taking it away, which earned him rich rewards.