Rajasthan Royals cricketer expressed his displeasure over not getting opportunities in Test cricket even after his record-breaking Ranji Trophy season in 2019-20.
Unadkat had an incredible run in the Ranji Trophy where he took record-setting 67 scalps from 10 games at an astonishing average of 13.23. He bowled long relentless spells of bowling throughout the competition and led Saurashtra to a title victory. The 2020-21 season of the Ranji Trophy was officially cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and Unadkat could not build on his terrific run of form.
The 30-year-old pacer spoke to Sportstar, revealing that he was hoping to get a call-up now that he has peaked in his career.
“I expect that (selection in India team) when I am at my peak now, when I have performed the way I have, I was hoping I’ll get the call somewhere down the line.
Having said that, I’ve got to keep doing what I’ve been doing. I am not going to allow my prime to pass just like that.
Now that I’ve not got that chance despite the kind of season I had, it’s up to me how to continue the same form and keep myself motivated.
It’s a fact that I was the highest wicket-taker in Ranji Trophy. Nothing has really happened after that,”
Unadkat said.
Speaking about India’s historic Australia tour, Unadkat said he felt he deserved to be there, considering the players that were getting opportunities due to injuries to India’s frontline pacers. After Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, and Umesh Yadav suffered injuries, Mohammed Siraj, Shardul Thakur, and T Natarajan received the opportunities to play.
Unadkat also stated that the selectors consider the current form, not the recent performances in specific formats. The pacer feels his average performance in the 2020 IPL played a role in his non-inclusion for the Australia tour.
“Even during the Australia tour, with the amount of injuries that were happening, it became disappointing afterwards. To start with, maybe because I didn’t have a great IPL (2020) – and what they look for is the current form.
It was T20 cricket in IPL but it was going to be red-ball cricket Down Under, but nowadays they look at current form more than the format.
Since there wasn’t much cricket happening back then, there was no Ranji Trophy this season, that way to start with, I felt (exclusion from) Australia tour was fine because everyone was fit in the main squad. But later on, (looking at) those who got chances, I felt I deserved one,”
he added.
Unadkat represented Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2021, where he played four games, picking up 4 wickets at an economy rate of 7.06, including best figures of 3 for 15 against Delhi Capitals.
The left arm played his solitary Test for India way back in 2010, where he couldn’t make an impact, conceding 101 runs in 26 overs against a strong South African batting unit.
India’s next assignment will be the WTC final against New Zealand in England, followed by a five-match Test series against the hosts. In between, India’s second-string team will be touring Sri Lanka in July for a limited-overs series comprising three ODIs and as many T20 internationals.
