IPL 2021: Jaydev Unadkat’s Fantastic Turnaround

A fantastic opening burst from Jaydev Unadkat helped set up Rajasthan Royals’ (RR) victory over Delhi Capitals (DC) in Match 7 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 in Mumbai on Thursday (April 15).

The experienced left-arm fast-bowler extracted good seam movement from a Wankhede Stadium track that had just enough grass cover to keep the pacers interested and ended up running through DC’s top-order batsmen.

Unadkat troubled the likes of Prithvi Shaw, Shikhar Dhawan and Ajinkya Rahane with the seam movement on offer and also the left-arm angle to take the ball across and bring it back into them.

Operating from ‘over-the-wicket’ – considered a blot spot for right-handers against a left-arm pacer – Unadkat got Shaw out with an away cutter that the in-form batsman top-edged straight to the point fielder. To Rahane as well, the speedster got him playing at a slower ball a touch too early and took an easy catch himself.

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In-between Shaw and Rahane, Jaydev Unadkat forced Dhawan to play a shot not usually associated with him, as he looked to lap a ball wide outside off towards the fine-leg region but had to walk back when wicketkeeper Sanju Samson made a scintillating grab.

All three of Jaydev Unadkat’s breakthroughs on the night were a result of batsmen being taken out of their comfort zones with good control and consistency, besides the use of movement from the track and left-arm angle.

WATCH – Jaydev Unadkat’s Fantastic Turnaround Sets Up RR’s Win Over DC

It was a stellar comeback and a fine statement from Jaydev Unadkat, whose return to the RR playing XI was much criticised ahead of the DC fixture. There were fears that the pacer may go for plenty at a ground notorious for its batting-friendly conditions. But he responded to his naysayers with an excellent four-over spell of 3/15.

 

Following an outstanding season for the now-defunct Rising Pune Supergiant back in IPL 2017, where he took 24 wickets from 12 innings while going for 7.03 runs per over, Unadkat was picked by RR at the auction for the next edition at a hefty price. That price of INR 11.50 crores was used to attack Unadkat when he couldn’t quite continue on his successful ways. The pacer faced heavy trolling over social media for his performances in IPL 2018, especially over his inability to keep the batsmen in check in the end overs.

In the meantime, Unadkat, however, kept working hard over his game and remained Saurashtra’s spearhead in the Ranji Trophy. The skipper took 67 wickets at an average of just 13.23 on traditional Indian tracks to help Saurashtra clinch their maiden Ranji title the previous winter.

Within the RR set up, Unadkat’s price value may have decreased over time, but the inaugural champions have never really lost their trust on him and have kept picking him at successful auctions. Unadkat’s performance against DC was, therefore, was a vindication of that trust as he made a telling blow to the opposition with the new-ball.

The game was also perhaps one where RR finally got their planning right with regards to Unadkat’s use in the bowling department. The paceman was used mostly in the powerplay overs and finished his quota within the first half of RR’s bowling innings.

Jaydev Unadkat won the ‘Player of the Match’ award for his exploits against DC and besides expressing his pleasure at making such a successful comeback, the pacer reinforced how he focused solely on hitting the hard lengths and mixing up the slower ball nicely.

“Have a lot of experience now I can say of handling tough situations,” he said. “Was kind of a homecoming for me. Was bowling with the kind of freedom I wanted with the new ball. Couldn’t do that last season. Had to step up this time. Didn’t get the first game so I knew the chances when they come, I have to take them.”

“If you see the stats I think I only bowled about four-five change of pace. It was about hitting the hard lengths, hitting good lengths because it was doing a bit. Feel there was a bit of moisture. Made good use of it. Changes you as a person in whole (marriage). Feel more settled, more calmer. Nothing like coming to the ground, hugging your wife and then sitting beside guys believing in you.”

With a strong beginning, the experience of overcoming hardships and his team’s unwavering trust on his side, Jaydev Unadkat may have just taken his first step towards revival in IPL cricket.