Indian cricketer in focus: Jaydev Unadkat - In the image of Zaheer Khan

FILE PHOTO: Jaydev Unadkat

To play for your country, to represent your nation in a sport of national importance is by far the most rewarding thing that can happen to a young cricket aspirant. To be able to don the national colours and sing the national anthem along with accomplished senior players is something every child dreams of.

Indian cricketers often have it harder than most to make a mark on the game. The presence of world class talent in the team at all times makes it extremely tough to cement a place in the side; ask Murali Vijay, he’ll tell you, along with countless others ‘talented’ youngsters who never get that chance.

Despite possessing talent, there must be something unique to your game that makes the selectors pick you for the team, and then later make the captain want to include you in the squad.

It is an understood fact that you simply cannot make an appearance for your country without having talent. Sometimes talent alone can’t get you to the higher echelons of the game. Yes, this time you can ask Rohit Sharma.

The drive to perform along with an unwavering lust for improvement can get you to the farthest reaches of the sport. Rahul Dravid was one such man; his skill was never in doubt, but his unrelenting need for perfection got him to where he is now.

A good work ethic will help you instill discipline in your life, and discipline will help you achieve success. Such is the story of our young Indian cricketer, the focal point of this piece – the talented left-arm seamer, Jaydev Dipakbhai Unadkat.

Born in Porbandar, Gujarat, young Unadkat grew up idolizing Mahatma Gandhi’s way of life and Wasim Akram’s bowling exploits. That should explain his modest demeanour and his fiery left-arm bowling.

Unadkat was a day scholar at Duleep Singh School of Cricket in Porbandar. During his time there, he was spotted by coach Ram Odedra. He impressed everyone at school with his bowling action and his ability to land the ball on the seam, which got the ball swinging both ways.

He started his journey to the national team when he was selected for the U-19 World Cup in New Zealand in 2010 as India’s pace spearhead. His performances caught the eyes of selectors as he put in some terrific spells. His bowling also caught the eye of Shah Rukh Khan’s IPL franchise KKR, as they were the first to offer him an IPL contract in 2010.

His time in IPL was most beneficial as he got to learn from his idol – Wasim Akram himself. Akram identified him as a star for the future and helped him harness and control his out-swinger.

His fantastic growth under Wasim Akram helped him cement a place in the India A squad which toured England in 2010. He debuted for India A in a match against the West Indies A team, and what a dream debut it was. He picked up a memorable tally of 13 wickets for a measly 103 runs and won India A the match.

Jaydev Unadkat learned much in KKR under Wasim Akram

His consistent performances for India A meant a sure call up to the national team. He was selected for India’s tour of Sri Lanka in 2010 as a nets bowler and was later included in the squad that was to tour South Africa towards the end of the year.

The injury to Indian pace spearhead Zaheer Khan meant he would make his debut for the national team. He went wicketless for 26 overs, leaking 102 runs, resulting in him being dropped for the remainder of the series.

The drop from the squad indicated that he wasn’t ready for the lime-light, and he wasn’t well equipped to carry the burden of the whole national team just then. This led him to believe that a consistent performance in the domestic circuit was the only thing that could save his nascent career.

He promptly returned to his childhood coach and worked with him relentlessly for days at end, sometimes working 10 hours a day. Strict diets, hard workouts to improve fitness and countless sessions in the nets helped him recover his lost confidence.

His action was now becoming more streamlined and his run-ups more fluid. Unadkat finally began to see the light at the end of the tunnel when his strong performances in the IPL and Ranji trophy for Saurashtra paid dividends, he was called up for the India A tour of New Zealand in 2012-13 seasons. He picked up 10 wickets at an impressive average of 14.30 with 2 four wicket hauls. He saw his confidence coming back to him, and in style too.

They say there is no substitute for hard work. Unadkat took that saying very seriously. Even after his training payed rich dividends, he trained long and hard to achieve success, but his consistency was a major deal-breaker. He never put in those breathtaking performances consistently enough.

His consistency was one of the major reasons for him making irregular appearances for his Ranji team, and an even more delayed appearance to the national team.

His true breakthrough came in the IPL, when he was selected for KKR. On his second chance on the field, he picked up 3 wickets against the Rajasthan Royals and fielded really well, a performance which earned him the man of the match award. His newfound consistency helped him re-enter the Indian team for the Australia series, though he hasn’t played any Tests after that poor debut.

He was picked up by the Royal Challengers Bangalore for a princely sum of $575,000 in the auction earlier this year. His inclusion in the squad was due to the fact that the RCB didn’t have any respectable depth in the bowling department, and also due to the fact that he was coming in for Zaheer Khan(who was out due to injury) once again. It’s as if destiny had written this tale for him, and given him a well deserved second chance.

His performances were once again very rewarding, he finished a highly successful season as the joint second highest wicket taker for RCB with 13 wickets, which included a career best of 5/25. His time with RCB can be described as one of the best things that could’ve happened to him.

Jaydev Unadkat blossomed under the tutelage of Zaheer Khan at RCB

Under the tutelage of Zaheer Khan, he improved immensely as a cricketer. He also thanked Zaheer for contributing so much to his career. Such is the modesty of this young man (the current crop of Indian youngsters are often viewed as ‘kids with arrogance’).

His call up to the national squad for the Zimbabwe tour is his god gifted second chance, a chance most players seldom come by. Maybe the fact that senior players opting out helped him, but it goes without saying that he deserves this selection. He can now rightfully claim his place in this precociously talented young side.

He recently said this on his selection for the Zimbabwe tour - “In the last couple of years I think I have done enough to believe that my time will come soon. I was never frustrated or disappointed when I was overlooked because I knew that I was moving in the right direction and my time will come. The others who are in the team today got their opportunity after some good performances in the domestic circuit.

“I was doing pretty well in the domestic circuit for the last two years. I have also done well in the IPL in the last few seasons. So instead of thinking when I will play for India again I was enjoying my journey. I have also started believing that it is important to have lot of good memories on the way. And that can happen only if you enjoy what you are doing.”

Saying those brave words requires tremendous courage and humility. The mere fact that he cherishes this opportunity shows how much he values his hard work, to not throw it away like he did in South Africa. His approach to the game is now much more mature. He understands the value of a good performance, and perform he will, say his mentors.

Whatever be the outcome of this tournament, it is true that India has well and truly found the heir to Zaheer Khan’s golden throne, and it is now up to them to guide it, to nurture it, to make it believe that it is here to stay. And it is up to Unadkat to continue this wonderful run and stamp his authority on this Indian outfit.