Jaydev Unadkat aims to enhance batting skills after heroics against New Zealand
Jaydev Unadkat hammered a 24-ball 44 studded with five fours and three sixes for Board President’s XI against New Zealand cricket team in the second tour match
Jaydev Unadkat said his confidence as a batsman has increased after he played a quickfire 24-ball 44 against the touring New Zealand side in the second warm-up match in Mumbai on Thursday.
Even though the Indian Board President’s XI team lost the game to New Zealand by 33 runs, Jaydev Unadkat starred with his gritty innings towards the end that gave the home side an outside chance of winning. Unadkat smacked five boundaries and three sixes but his effort proved to be not enough in the end.
Chasing 344 to win, the Indian Board President’s XI were struggling when Unadkat teamed up with Dhawal Kulkarni to add 64 runs.
“I was batting well since the last two seasons in domestic (circuit) but I have got the confidence and I am happy that it is coming on in the bigger stage, and today’s innings will boost my confidence,” said Unadkat after the match.
He added: “I will definitely be looking to add that dimension (of batting) to my game because that is what is the need of the hour – a bowler who can bat and slog well is always beneficial to the team, so that’s all what I can do from my side, put in efforts and add a new dimension.”
Unadkat, who claimed 4 for 57 in the game, said he has found good rhythm. “The way I was bowling in the IPL did give me a lot of confidence, and sometimes it’s all about confidence for a bowler,” he added.
“I am looking in good rhythm and I am confident of bowling what I want to bowl and it’s coming out of the hand nicely,” he said. “That is what is important for me; a bowler who hits the deck hard, looks to swing the ball early and my variations, like I bowled in the IPL, it helped me big time, the confidence which I got from that is going on in these matches, like in the first Ranji Trophy game.”
Unadkat said it is important to remain in fray (for selection) even though the competition is stiff between the Indian fast bowlers in the talent pool, who are all pushing their cases through performances with the bat.
“It’s a good thing that to be in radar of the selectors or the team management. It motivates you, pushes you to do even harder, to get that place in the (Indian) team. I have played for the country in the past and I know what it takes to be there,” Unadkat said.
“I have put in all the effort since I played for the country a couple of years back. So to keep developing as a player is all I can do and I hope that I can get a chance to play for the country and prove myself,” he added.
Unadkat added that there is still time for him to develop his body for a bowler.
“For a fast bowler it is important to get stronger, to be in good rhythm and remain injury free. So get stronger and build more muscle mass, I am still at an age where I can build on my mass and survive for a longer period of time in the game,” he said.
“For the couple of years, my aim would be to still get stronger and build a base where I don’t get injured. I have luckily not been injured in the past couple of seasons,” Unadkat added.
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