MY KOLKATA EDUGRAPH
ADVERTISEMENT
regular-article-logo Sunday, 01 December 2024

Ranji Trophy: Jaydev Unadkat ushers in ‘Saurashtra era’

If I get a chance to play for Team India again, it will always be about setting the bar higher and higher, says Unadkat

A Staff Reporter Calcutta Published 20.02.23, 05:17 AM
Saurashtra captain Jaydev Unadkat and wife Rinny with the Ranji Trophy on Sunday.

Saurashtra captain Jaydev Unadkat and wife Rinny with the Ranji Trophy on Sunday. Santosh Ghosh

For Jaydev Unadkat, “it’s the Saurashtrian era”.

Team Saurashtra on Sunday won their second Ranji Trophy crown in three years. They were also champions in this season’s Vijay Hazare Trophy. And all under the leftarm quick’s captaincy.

ADVERTISEMENT

For sure, like Cheteshwar Pujara and Ravindra Jadeja, Unadkat too will go down as a Saurashtra cricket legend and also as one of the most successful captains in the Indian domestic circuit.

But will his success in the domestic circuit lead him to bigger gains at the international level?

Hours after playing a vital role in Saurashtra’s Ranji triumph at the Eden on Sunday, Unadkat returned to the India squad not just for the remaining two Tests versus Australia, but for the three-match ODI series as well.

“Whether or when I next get a chance in the (Indian) XI remains to be seen. But if I get another chance, I’m quite confident of replicating such (probing) spells,” Unadkat said when asked about the road ahead.

Elaborating on his mindset and motivation, Unadkat said he always keeps the team first.

“Whenever I have put myself out there in the middle, it has always been about team goals regardless of whether I’m playing for Saurashtra or any other side.

“If I get a chance to play for Team India again, it will always be about setting the bar higher and higher.

“Now that I’ve gotten my chance to be in the squad, I would like to carry on with this form at the next level whenever I get another opportunity (to play). So that in itself is a big challenge for me.

“Individually, I think I have more motivation than what I had a couple of years back because now I have another level to go to and prove my mettle,” the 31-year-old stressed.

Talking about his current form, Unadkat, finishing this Ranji season with 26 scalps in four games, said: “I would say the ball is coming out pretty well out of my hand.

“I’m able to bowl long spells which is crucial as far as my own thinking about my performance is concerned.

“That’s because I feel whenever I am able to bowl longer spells and keep on bowling with the same zest, that’s when I’m at the best of my abilities and the best of my form.

“At the moment, I do feel the body is in a good shape. I feel I can keep going for whatever number of overs I have to whenever I’m handed the ball.

“So I’m equally excited and eager for things to follow as well.”

Follow us on:
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT