BAN vs IND 2022: He might not play – Dinesh Karthik on Jaydev Unadkat

India’s veteran wicket-keeper batter Dinesh Karthik believes Jaydev Unadkat might not get his opportunity in the Test series against Bangladesh. Unadkat was added to India’s Test squad after his consistent performances in the domestic circuit.

In the absence of gun pacers like Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami, India has bowlers like Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, and Shardul Thakur, who will be ahead of Unadkat in the pecking order.

Unadkat played his first and last Test match against South Africa back in 2010. The left-arm seamer had gone wicketless and conceded 101 runs in the 26 overs he bowled against the Proteas at SuperSport Park, Centurion.

Karthik feels Unadkat might not even get selected for the four-match Test series against Australia as Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami will return back to the squad.

“I think Unadkat might not play this series, to be very honest. There is Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, and Shardul Thakur. There is a good chance he might not end up playing this series, but I think that is okay. The fact that he was rewarded, he has been given those whites to represent India, be part of the team, that matters the most. He might not even find a place in the team for the Australia series, with Bumrah or Shami coming in, we might move on,” Karthik said on Cricbuzz.

Unadkat has been a consistent performer for Saurashtra in the last few seasons in the domestic circuit. The left-arm seamer has scalped 353 wickets in 96 first-class matches at an impressive average of 23.04. Karthik added Unadkat is the most deserving player to get a chance given his consistent run at the domestic level.

“An absolutely heart-warming story, he is probably the most deserving fast bowler from Indian domestic cricket in the last couple of years for sure. I think he plays in a state where, we obviously know how the Rajkot wicket is, to get the number of wickets he has taken, led the team so well,” he said.

The first Test match between India and Bangladesh will be played at Chhatogram from December 14 onwards.