A true sportsman is someone who never gives up even if his own team has lost hope in him. It defines the true character of a sportsman and his real talent. Without a doubt, a player, who makes a comeback to his sport, gets much better at it and it becomes next to impossible to defeat him.
Every year there is a player in Indian cricket who makes headlines with his comeback to international cricket. In the year 2022, it was Dinesh Karthik who was welcomed back to team India and was given the responsibility of the finisher after his ferocious display in the Indian Premier League.
As the new year dawns, Jaydev Unadkat has made headlines with his achievements in domestic cricket and his comeback to the Test format after 12 years. Jaydev Unadkat was always in the spotlight since the day he became part of the Indian Premier League. He has played for multiple teams in the tournament and all the franchises he has been part of, had high hopes from the pacer.
Jaydev Unadkat – Debut in Domestic Cricket
Jaydev was noticed by Ram Odedra, a cricket coach at Duleep Cricket School in Porbandar. He took Unadkat under his wing and the journey to becoming the most prominent Saurashtra cricketer began. In 2009 he passed out from St. Mary Convent School and in 2010, things started working in the favour of the player.
Jaydev became part of the U-19 squad and in the same year, he was selected for Ranji Trophy for Saurashtra. Not only that, considering his performance at the U-19 level, Jaydev was offered a contract from Kolkata Knight Riders for the Indian Premier League. Jaydev was part of the Kolkata franchise for two years but just played 10 matches and picked up 10 wickets at an economy of 8.33.
Simultaneously, Unadkat was performing exceptionally well in his domestic cricket run. He was making headlines with his talent in domestic cricket and was being noticed by the other IPL franchises.
In 2013, Royal Challengers Bangalore offered him the costliest contract and gave him the responsibility of the pace attack. In May 2013 he achieved his best T20 career bowling figures of 5/25 playing against Delhi Daredevils and was named Player of the Match.
Jaydev Unadkat – International Debut
After his brilliant performances in the U-19 squad, BCCI and the selection committee noticed his achievements and gave him an opportunity to be part of the senior team in 2010. Jaydev Unadkat made his international debut in the longest format of the game against South Africa in December 2010.
Expectations were high with the pacer and in the beginning, everything looked like a match made in heaven. However, soon Jaydev’s performance started dipping in Test cricket and it was in 2010 that he lost his opportunity to play more Test cricket.
BCCI also gave him an opportunity to be part of the ODI format and T20 format in 2013 and 2016 respectively but unfortunately he was unable to make an impact and completely failed to continue his run.
Jaydev even looked out of form in the IPL tournament and was slowly and gradually losing out on the selection committee.
Jaydev Unadakt – 12 Years of Comeback and Historical Hat-trick
The year 2022 turned out to be a positive time for one of the most hardworking players in the domestic circuit. Jaydev Unadkat was called back to the Test format of the game and started the game against Bangladesh. After 12 Years of drought, Jaydev became an inspiration for everyone and his team.
In January 2023, Jaydev Unadkat became the only player in the history of the Ranji Trophy to pick a hat-trick in the first over. As a skipper and a player, Saurashtra team management will be proud of their player and hope that the 31-year-old pacer makes it back to the Test squad.
You can read similar stories on your favorite sport here.
