'Mature' Jaydev Unadkat deserves an India call-up: Karsan Ghavri

NEW DELHI: Indian cricket hasn't had a really potent left-arm fast bowler in a while. There has been a void after the likes of Ashish Nehra, Irfan Pathan and Zaheer Khan retired. There were candidates who auditioned for the part, made fleeting appearances, but failed to cement a place for themselves in the team. Khaleel Ahmed was the latest one to be tried.
Former India cricketer and left-arm pacer Karsan Ghavri feels the time has come for the Indian team management to test Jaydev Unadkat for the role.
With 67 wickets in 10 matches, Unadkat, who is also the Saurashtra captain, finished as the highest wicket-taker in the Ranji Trophy 2019-20 season. He claimed 5 five-wicket hauls in the tournament. Unadkat's performances went a long way in helping Saurashtra win their maiden Ranji Trophy title.
“The way he bowled and captained in Ranji Trophy, it was extraordinary. With this performance, he deserves (an) India call-up now. Whenever selectors sit next to pick India’s Test team, Unadkat should be picked," outgoing Saurashtra coach and former India cricketer Karsan Ghavri told Timesofindia.com in an exclusive interview.
Unadkat has so far played only one Test for India and that too way back in 2010, against South Africa in Centurion. The then 19-year-old went wicketless in that match, conceding 101 runs in 26 overs. He also represented India in 7 ODIs (last in 2013 against the West Indies in Kochi) and 10 T20Is (last in 2018 against Bangladesh in Colombo).

“India have tried a number of left-arm pacers after Zaheer. Look, for me the best option to fill that void (left-arm pacer) is Jaydev. He is in form, available, performing, taking wickets and young enough to be in the Indian side. He should be given an opportunity now," Ghavri said.
“Virat (Kohli), coach Ravi (Shastri) and selectors should sit and make the Indian team in the best possible way. India have tried a number of left-arm pacers and I believe Unadkat is the best fit for Kohli’s search for a perfect left-arm pacer. Unadkat is mature and can fill the left-arm pace void in Kohli’s team,” Ghavri, who played two World Cups (1975 and 1979), said.
"In the next Test series, if selectors want to rest any one of the pacers – Ishant, Bumrah or Shami – then Unadkat should be considered first. He tops the chart without any doubt. He has played only one Test in his career (vs South Africa in Centurion in 2010) and that was long back. He was raw at that point of time and now he is mature and a proper package of being a fast bowler,” he said.
The 28-year-old Unadkat not only shone with the ball in the Ranji Trophy this season, but also guided Saurashtra to the title victory.
In the semi-final vs Gujarat, Unadkat played another match winning role, taking 7/56.
In the final, Saurashtra played out a draw against a resurgent Bengal, but captured the title on the basis of a first-innings lead.

“It was a historic day. The date March 13 will always be memorable for entire Saurashtra team. I would give big credit to captain Unadkat. These moments will be cherished forever. They played like a champion. Saurashtra played rock solid cricket and everybody contributed so well. And whatever the roles were assigned to them, they did those beautifully. Whatever the task was given to them, they have done it so well,” the 69-year-old Ghavri said.
“The positive was Saurashtra were hungry for success. They were hungry to lift the trophy. They came close in the past but failed to touch the finish line. This time, they were very eager, very determined to cross the final line. I could see the celebration. It meant a lot to them. This team has disciplined and talented players. Apart from this, they are very skillful. They gel well as a team both on and off the field. They support each other. And that shows, even in very difficult situations, they were all together,” Ghavri signed off.