Cheteshwar Pujara motivated me to make a comeback in Indian team: Jaydev Unadkat

Indian fast bowler Jaydev Unadkat stated Cheteshwar Pujara motivated him to make a comeback in the Indian team. Unadkat made his Test debut against South Africa back in 2010 but didn’t get his opportunities in the team after that.

The left-arm seamer kept performing consistently in the domestic circuit. The Saurashtra seamer scalped 353 wickets in 96 first-class matches at an impressive average of 23.04.

Thus, he was finally given his chance by the selectors for the two-match Test series against Bangladesh. The left-arm seamer scalped two crucial wickets in the first innings against the Tigers as he got extra bounce from the surface. Furthermore, he took one wicket in the second dig.

Meanwhile, Pujara and Unadkat have shared a good bonhomie with each other as they have played together for Saurashtra.

“I wasn’t playing in the first game but I wore the shirt for the first time he said ‘you are looking good’. That came straight from the heart and I could see how happy he was for me,” Unadkat said about Pujara.

“It was special to play with him. He told me to keep pushing myself all these years to get that chance. He has been part of the team for more than 10 years now, I look up to him in a way that I also want to be part of the team the way he has been,” he further added.

Unadkat added Pujara’s longevity has motivated him in his career as he didn’t throw in the towel despite not getting the chances for the national team.

“With all ups and downs he faced in his career and still play 98 Tests has been immensely motivating for me,” added Unadkat.

Unadkat was able to grab his opportunity in the third Test match against Bangladesh but he might not get his chance against Australia as Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami are expected to return to the squad.