The former Pakistan player Wasim Akram has selected Jaydev Unadkat as a potential player to participate in the World Test Championship (WTC) final against Australia which will take place right after the IPL. Akram said that the conditions in England will be favourable for someone like Unadkat who is a left-arm pacer.
Despite being one of the five specialist pacers included in India’s 15-man squad, it is expected that Jaydev Unadkat will not be selected in the playing XI of the WTC final against Australia. The team management is likely to opt for Mohammed Siraj, Mohammed Shami, and Umesh Yadav. Unadkat has only played two Tests so far and yet to play any Test in England.
While having an interview at a renowned cricket portal, Wasim Akram said that Jaydev Unadkat has now reached that stage where he should play all the matches for India. Akram said that he has closely worked with Unadkat during the KKR days and now he sees him as a mature bowler.
Wasim Akram said,”He is at a stage where he must play regularly because his first-class performances have been good and his team won the Ranji Trophy. Jaydev Unadkat was also the captain. When I met him, he was 18 years old and wanted to keep learning. He was a very humble boy and keen to learn.”
He further added,”Mohammed Shami used to pick me up from the airport and they used to sit with me in the evening for tea. I feel happy seeing players I’ve worked with perform well. They are representing their country and gaining worldwide recognition. I would like to see Unadkat playing for India and there are chances of him being successful, given the ball swings at The Oval.”
Jaydev Unadkat played his last Test match against Bangladesh in December 2022. In that match, he took three wickets. During the 2022-23 Ranji Trophy, he performed exceptionally well and took 26 wickets in four games, with an average of 13.88.
