Saurashtra’s Ranji Trophy campaign has hit a roadblock, with the team drawing and losing two games each in their first four outings. Despite the disappointing start, captain Jaydev Unadkat remains optimistic, attributing the setbacks to a necessary period of transition.
Unadkat, who has led Saurashtra to three Ranji Trophy finals and two titles in the past five seasons, acknowledges the need for a changing of the guard. Senior players like Sheldon Jackson, Cheteshwar Pujara, and Arpit Vasavada are nearing the end of their careers, and Unadkat is keen on grooming young talent.
This season, Saurashtra has already handed debuts to three players: pace bowlers Navneet Vora and Hiten Kanbi, and batter Parswaraj Rana. While Vora and Kanbi have shown promise, Rana has struggled to make an impact.
Unadkat believes that providing opportunities to youngsters is crucial for the team’s long-term success. “We want young players to come forward, and we want them to be given maximum opportunities,” he said. “I want young players to settle in our team during my captaincy.”
Despite the team’s struggles, Unadkat remains focused on guiding Saurashtra to victory in every match. “When I wake up in the morning, the first thought that comes to my mind is how our team will win, and how it will become better,” he said.
Unadkat is also preparing for the upcoming IPL auction, where he is among the 1574 players who have registered. While he hopes to return to Sunrisers Hyderabad, he is open to joining any team that values his bowling skills.
“I am definitely very excited about the auction,” he said. “Mega auction is a big opportunity, but whatever the results of the auction, I am fully prepared to accept it… If I get my bowling role and I get to play, I will be satisfied.”
