Saurashtra team stopped training to watch my bidding, claims Jaydev Unadkat
BCCI
Jaydev Unadkat has revealed that when his bidding, in the 2018 IPL auction, started, his Saurashtra teammates stopped their training to watch it. Unadkat emerged as the costliest Indian player in the auction and he claimed that he will do his best for Rajasthan who paid 11.5 crores for him.
The recently concluded auction was a dream come true for Unadkat who saw the franchises battle for him and opened their purse to include him in their respective side but it was Rajasthan Royals who won the bidding war and paid Rs 11.5 crore to secure the service of the left-arm Indian pacer. During the auction in Bangalore, the player was busy in training with his Saurashtra teammates in Rajkot for the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy.
"After the physio told me that my bidding is on, I was hooked onto the live streaming for the next 15 minutes and found it surreal. The entire team stopped it's training to watch my bidding," the 26-year-old said as quoted by PTI.
The Saurashtra player has featured only in one Test, seven ODIs and four T20I games for India but in the recent past, he has emerged as the economical bowler in the shortest format of the game. Unadkat has played 47Â IPL games so far claiming 56 wickets at an average of 23.35 and 8.00 economy. In the last season, while playing for Rising Pune Supergiant, the pacer bagged 24 wickets at an average of 13.41 and with 7.02 economy in 12 matches.
"Honestly, I did not have any amount in mind. The past two years have been pretty good for me and after last year's IPL (24 wickets), I expected a good bid. But yes, I was really amazed at the kind of bidding that happened. It is indeed surprising
Chennai opened the bid for him and Kings XI Punjab followed them in the process and the price reached 9 crores but it was the Rajasthan-based franchise who won the bid by offering 11.5 crores. Unadkat, who played the U-19 World Cup for India in 2010, knows the expectations from his IPL side but he doesn't want to put too much pressure on himself to perform.
"I am overwhelmed but taking it in a happy way. I am expected to give my best for my franchise and will strive to do that," said Unadkat.Â
Unadkat played his only Test for India in 2010 against South Africa in Centurion and he played his last 50-over format game in 2013. Despite not being a regular player on the Indian side, he has worked a lot to improve and learn variations to add to his bowling. He has played 65 first-class matches claiming 205 wickets and before the auction, he already makes his place in the T20I squad against South Africa and he credited Bharat Arun for his development.
"During the first time that I played for India till now, I have worked a lot on my game. One of the main architects of this change has been our India bowling coach Bharat Arun. Bharat sir has been my coach since I was a U-19 India player. I have had numerous sessions with him at the NCA, which has proved to be immensely helpful," Unadkat said.
"Now that I am back in the T20 squad, I have been regularly in touch with Bharat sir and trying to execute his tips. I believe the biggest change has been my mindset about using the variation. Earlier, there wasn't that self-confidence which I have now when I want to try something new."
