The left-arm pacer took 67 wickets at an average of just 13.23 in Saurashtra's first-ever successful Ranji campaign.
Unadkat bagged 67 wickets this season at a jaw-dropping average of 13.23 for a pacer in Indian conditions, including influential spells in the knock-outs, as Saurashtra defeated Bengal in the final on first-innings lead in Rajkot on Friday (March 13) to lift the prestigious trophy for the very first time.
Read Also: Indian cricket fraternity congratulates Saurashtra on maiden Ranji title win
"I still have that hunger to make a comeback (for India)," Unadkat told reporters after lifting the Ranji Trophy. "The hunger has never been stronger than this and that actually kept me going throughout the season. To be honest, it was challenging physically surviving the season. Bowling those long spells as a fast bowler in almost every game."
"I just want to keep this phase going. I don't want to end it here. Yes, we have won the trophy and I am the happiest captain in the world right now if I can say that."
The 28-year-old made his Test debut back in 2010 in Centurion, which remains his only game for India in whites; even his last ODI wearing the blue jersey came seven years ago. Unadkat played last of his 10 T20Is for India two seasons back. However, he is determined to get back in the reckoning, which his dear mate Cheteshwar Pujara also believes he certainly can.
"Jaydev has bowled exceptionally well throughout the season," Pujara said. "If someone takes 67 wickets in a season, I don't think there is anyone who can perform better in the Ranji Trophy. There has to be lot of importance to Ranji Trophy performance to get picked for the Indian team."
"Jaydev was modest that he would not be thinking about the Indian call but I will be surprised if he is not picked in the Indian team."
Unadkat wishes to further turn a corner for himself via good performances in this year's edition of the IPL for Rajasthan Royals.
"The second question about IPL does matter a lot to me. I have been working harder than many guys, as hard as any other cricketer in the country to earn my rewards," he said. "It was not just the IPL on my mind at any time. Yes, there was auction happening and people were talking just about that but this was something I really wanted to (win Ranji Trophy)."
"I wanted to do it for the team, I wanted to do it for myself. I wanted to prove to myself that I don't want to play the game for something other than cricket. I started playing this game because I was so passionate about it."
(Inputs from PTI)