Jaydev Dipakbhai Unadkat, born on October 18, 1991, is a professional cricket player from Porbandar, Gujarat, India. Unadkat is known for his skill as a left-arm fast bowler and has represented both the Indian national team and various domestic and franchise teams.
Unadkat’s passion for cricket was ignited at a young age, and he quickly caught the attention of his coach, Ram Odedra, at the Duleep Sinh School of Cricket in Porbandar. Odedra was particularly impressed with Unadkat’s bowling action and his ability to consistently land the ball on the seam, a skill that would prove to be invaluable in his future career.
In 2010, Unadkat showcased his talent on the international stage when he led the India Under-19 team’s bowling attack in the World Cup held in New Zealand. He performed exceptionally well, catching the eye of the Kolkata Knight Riders, who signed him for the Indian Premier League (IPL). Unadkat’s performance during the IPL earned him praise from the legendary bowler Wasim Akram, who identified him as a future star.
Unadkat’s promising start continued as he made his first-class debut for India A during their tour of England in June 2010. In a dream debut, he took an impressive match-winning 13 wickets for 103 runs against West Indies A at Grace Road. Later that year, he was included in the Indian Test squad for their tour of South Africa, making his Test debut at Centurion. Unfortunately, the match did not go as planned for Unadkat, as he went wicketless and ended up being dropped from the team.
Despite this setback, Unadkat persevered and focused on his domestic career. His breakthrough moment came during India A’s tour of New Zealand in 2012-13, where he acquired nine List-A wickets with an exceptional average of 15.77, including two four-wicket hauls. These performances earned him a spot in the Royal Challengers Bangalore team for the IPL, where he was one of the most successful wicket-takers.
Unadkat’s consistent performances caught the attention of the national selectors, and he made his One Day International (ODI) debut for India in July 2013 during their tour of Zimbabwe. He impressed with eight wickets in five matches, showcasing his ability to perform at the international level. However, he faced challenges in subsequent ODIs against Australia and West Indies, going wicketless in both matches.
Unfortunately, Unadkat’s career was momentarily halted in 2014 due to a stress fracture he suffered. However, he made an impressive comeback in the 2015-16 Ranji Trophy season, claiming an astounding 40 wickets, including four five-wicket hauls. His standout performance in the semi-finals against Assam, where he took 11 wickets, played a crucial role in leading Saurashtra to the finals.
Unadkat’s excellent domestic form did not go unnoticed, and he was bought by the Kolkata Knight Riders for a hefty sum of INR 1.6 crore in the IPL auction in February 2016. He continued to showcase his skills and contributed to the team’s success.
With his determination, work ethic, and remarkable bowling abilities, Jaydev Unadkat has proven himself as a formidable force in the world of cricket. As he continues to grow and develop his skills, Unadkat remains a key player to watch within the Indian cricketing community.