Indian fast bowler Jaydev Unadkat didn’t hide his disappointment after not getting picked in the Indian squad that will tour England in June for the World Test Championship final against New Zealand and a five-match Test series against the hosts.
The left-arm pacer has been consistent in the Indian T20 League, where he has 85 wickets in 84 matches so far. Apart from that, Unadkat has been excelling in the domestic circuit and was the highest wicket-taker with 67 scalps in the Ranji Trophy last season.
Given the number of bowlers that the Indian selectors have tested in the past six months, the 29-year-old fast bowler felt let down by the board.
“I felt (exclusion from) Australia tour was fine because everyone was fit in the main squad. But later on, (looking at) those who got chances due to injuries, I felt I deserved one,” Unadkat told The Hindu.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has named Praisdh Krishna, Avesh Khan and Arzan Nagwaswalla in the squad with Unadkat not on the standby list. With age still on Unadkat’s side to make it to the Indian squad, the pacer is more disappointed than frustrated.
“I was hoping to make it to the England tour. As simple as that. I have said in the past that the guys who are at the top are doing well, so I have to wait for my chance,” Unadkad said.
“This time around, I have been honestly disappointed. I’ll still take the disappointment positively to motivate myself to do better. I haven’t reached that level of frustration for sure. As I look at it, it’s not now or never for me. When I say I am at my peak, it’s still four or five years more to remain at my peak,” he added.
Debuting in the Indian Test team as a 19-year-old against South Africa, Unadkat had an underwhelming outing where he conceded 101 runs and went wicketless. Though the bowler has played seven ODIs and 10 T20Is since then, his last appearance in national colours was against Bangladesh in 2018 at the Nidahas Trophy.
However, the lack of action at the international level hasn’t stopped Unadkat from grinding it out back at home. He has 327 wickets in 89 First-Class matches so far.
“I am 29 and because I made my debut early (in 2010), people consider me ‘old’. I was a teenager when I made my Test debut a decade ago, so I still have a lot of time. I am not that frustrated for sure,” Unadkat pointed out.
Featured Image: AFP/ Indranil Mukherjee
