Pace bowler Jaydev Unadkat deserves an international recall, according to former India player Karsan Ghavri.
Ghavri, who played in two world cups and made 39 Test appearances for his country, believes Unadakat has earned the right to represent India again due to his exploits in this season’s Ranji Trophy.
The left-arm fast bowler bagged a total of 67 wickets in the Ranji, which fell just one short of Ashutosh Aman’s all-time record.
“I do feel Unadkat should get a national call-up again,” Ghavri told TOI.
“He can bring the ball in and also take it away from the batsman. He (Unadkat) is very consistent and can keep bowling in the same area.
More options for India
Ghavri, 69, thinks the seamer would offer India’s Test squad even more options.
He added: “He has worked on his fitness and can bowl long spells now. He can operate with the new ball and also handle the old one. So you can use him in all situations.
“Yes, it's true we have a great pace unit now. But I will say the national selectors can keep Unadkat in mind in case they want to rest somebody.
“All our pacers are right-handed. A left-hander thus provides you a different option. A right-hand left-hand combination often unsettles batsmen,”
Unadkat and the IPL
The 28-year-old bowler will play for the Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2020. He was the most expensive Indian player at the IPL Auction in 2018 and his recent form could be a big boost to his franchise for this year’s edition.
Rajasthan Royals are considered the 11.00 (10/1) outsides with bet365 to win the tournament.
A return to the India fold has also been backed by his RR team-mate Cheteshwar Pujara after all four national selectors were present at the Ranji final.
He said: “I will be surprised if he is not picked in the Indian team.”
Calls continue to grow for his return from other quarters, including from Virat Kohli’s childhood coach Rajkumar Sharma.
“I congratulate Saurashtra for their stellar performance in Ranji Trophy, especially Jaydev Unadkat, who bowled crucial spells and picked 67 wickets in the mega event.
“He should be included in India’s squad. In the IPL, he had already proved himself and now he has shown how useful he can be in the longest format of the game.”
