Former India pacer Karsan Ghavri backed Jaydev Unadkat to find a place in the Indian team for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia at home which will be played in February-March next year. The four-Test series is important for India to secure a place in the WTC 2023 final.
Unadkat recently made his Test comeback for India after 2010 in the recent second Test against Bangladesh and picked three wickets. The Saurashtra cricketer had taken the team to the finals of the 2018 Ranji Trophy and then finally to the Ranji Trophy title win the next year.
He has continued to ply his trade in Indian domestic cricket and in the IPL and made a brief comeback into the T20I team in 2018.
Karsan Ghavri lauded Jaydev Unadkat’s spirit and never-say-die attitude.
"It is a brilliant comeback after 12 years. Age is just a number for him. If a player doesn't get a chance for 3 or 4 or say 5 years, they tend to give up, they lose hope. But Unadkat is a real fighter. Twelve years is a long period. He kept working hard. He kept on taking wickets in domestic cricket and IPL, and now he is back. It's a huge thing, an example of determination and a never-say-die attitude," Ghavri told TimesOfIndia.com.
Ghavri also cited Dinesh Karthik's example who made a comeback to the Indian T20I side at the age of 37 and also went on to play in the T20 World Cup this year. He felt that if Karthik could do well for India at this age, Unadkat at 31, can have a bit longer career for India.
And he wanted Unadkat to be included in the Indian squad for the four-Test series against Australia at home next year.
"When Dinesh Karthik can play at the age of 37 and perform well for India, why not Unadkat? Unadkat has been consistent in Ranji Trophy. He has been taking wickets. He is back in the Indian side and I am sure he will play a big and long role here. So age has nothing to do with cricketing abilities. It is all about fitness and form. Unadkat has both boxes ticked," Ghavri added.
He said: "Unadkat shouldn't be dropped. He should be given a long rope now. We will be playing versus Australia now and Unadkat should play all the Tests in the series. He bowled really well in this Test match (against Bangladesh). He deserves to be in the Indian side for some time. It's a great fightback and a great comeback from Unadkat. He is a special player. I am sure India's search for a left-arm pacer would end if he gets to play all the Tests versus Australia at home."
