Jaydev Unadkat recently relished his much-awaited dream as the left-arm pacer got an opportunity to play a Test match for India on the tour of Bangladesh.
The Test match in Dhaka was Unadkat’s second red-ball appearance while his debut had come way back in 2010.
Earlier this year, Unadkat tweeted: “Dear red ball, please give me one more chance.. I’ll make you proud, promise!”
The 31-year-old certainly lived up to his tweet as he put on a spirited performance on a turning pitch at Shere Bangla National Stadium, returning with three wickets.
After his arrival from Bangladesh, Jaydev Unadkat interacted with PTI and said: “Everyone thought that I was referring to a national comeback. I was just missing red-ball cricket in general as Ranji Trophy was postponed for a second time (due to COVID).”
In his debut Test against South Africa in Centurion, Unadkat went wicketless but it did not take him long to claim his maiden Test wicket in Dhaka as he removed the in-form Bangladesh opener Zakir Hasan with a ball that jumped from a good length.
“I was trying to extract bounce off length and I felt I could do that. The feeling (when it happened) will remain one of the most special memories of my cricketing career. Getting a Test wicket is something I visualised 1000 times,” said Unadkat.
Jaydev Unadkat got the opportunity at the expense of wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav, who was Player-of-the-Match in the opening Test in Chattogram for his eight wickets.
Asked if he felt the pressure of replacing Kuldeep, Unadkat stated: “Absolutely not. When you don’t expect things and they happen, I take it in my stride. I just wanted to contribute. If not take a wicket then create pressure from the other end. That was the thought.
“Domestic cricket has helped me immensely that way. You always have a role to play as a bowler even when you aren’t getting the wickets. You can create pressure and put batter in doubt and other bowlers can capitalise on that.”
What worked for the Saurashtra skipper was his ability to bowl long spells on flat decks.
“I got my chance as the management felt I was suited to the pitch. Like you said the conditions were similar (to Rajkot), not a lot of pace off the wicket and you will have to extract whatever you can by hitting the length hard.
”I knew if I will stick to my strengths, there will be something coming my way and that is how I got that extra bounce.”
There were times when Unadkat felt low at being overlooked in the Indian Test team despite his unprecedented success in Ranji Trophy but he always believed in himself.
”I always believed that I would get another chance. I didn’t know how to be honest as the Indian pacers were doing well over the past thee four years. I was getting inspired watching them to be honest.
“Leading Saurashtra has helped me focus on my game and not be distracted by anything else. It has helped me see the future. Captaining Saurashtra, I am not just caring for my own performance but also of others and team goals. That kept me going,” he said.
Talking about his comeback after a gap of 12 years, Unadkat said: “It was very emotional for my family, my wife who was not around in 2010 when I made my debut. He believed in me more than I did. And when I got to know that I was playing, I felt the same goosebumps I felt 12 years ago.”
(With PTI inputs)
