Jaydev Unadkat - the next Zaheer Khan?

Jaydev Unadkat

Kapil Dev, Javagal Srinath, Glenn McGrath, Chaminda Vaas, Venkatesh Prasad – What do they have in common? What made them different from bowlers like Brett Lee and Dale Steyn? We can widely classify them as fast bowlers, but the fact remains that the Kapil Devs and Srinaths were not not just the type of bowlers who zipped through the batsman’s defense with their sheer pace , but it was their line and length which tested the batsman and their swing which just left the batsman thinking for options. Our most recent example is Zaheer Khan who has humiliated the greatest batsmen in the world with his variety of deliveries .

Well, Indians would be happy to have many Indians on that list of bowlers and they would be presently be proud to have the lights of Zaheer Khan in that list, but the question is that do we have this depth in our entire bowling line-up ? Do we have someone to continue after Zaheer Khan? In other simple and direct terms, do we have someone who can give us what Zaheer Khan is giving us?

Jaydev Unadkat- A name many of us must have heard during the Indian Premier League recently and if we scratch our brains a little bit , we might remember this youngster bowling the last time India was playing a test match in South Africa . This youngster from Porbander , Gujarat made his mark in the Under 19 World Cup in 2009 which was held in New Zealand . It was a world cup which many us must have even forgotten after India’s exit in the quarter finals to arch rivals Pakistan. Jaydev Unadkat was the only player who was recognized as a real prospect for the future with his captain , Ashok Maneria.

His line and length was next to perfect for foreign conditions. Flexible body , high bowling action and that perfect cut into the batsman , he had it all. He is not a very healthy looking person and it is that which he uses to his advantage. He bends so well during his stride that Kapil Dev would be surely proud of him which gives Unadkat’s delivery that perfect shape.

His international career was not a very long one inspite of a descent show in his debut match against the Proteas at Centurion , but he was unable to take any wicket in it. His first class performance has been consistent and has give promise of a bowler who can scare the batsman with his awkward bounce , even on Indian wickets.

He has done pretty well in the IPL as well where he bowled some crucial spells for the Kolkata Knight Riders and then recently for the Royal Challengers Bangalore. Playing in ground like the M.Chinaswamy Stadium is not less than a challenge for bowlers and doing what this 22 year bowler has done , is nothing but commendable.

Jaydev Unadkat will be a perfect replacement for Zaheer Khan and it is time to give Jaydev the centre stage to play against top teams. India’s bowling was ordinary during the recently concluded series at South Africa. Experts would say that India lacked experience. India lacked variety as well and such a left armed bowler who can do some serious damage to any batting line up even with the absence of Zaheer Khan. He would also be a perfect replacement for the struggling Ishant Sharma who has just gone out of touch and power he would possess. A left handed pacer would bring variety to a bowling line up populated with right handed bowlers like Bhubhaneshwar Kumar , Shami Ahmed and Ishant Sharma.

It will be interesting to see where Unadkat’s talent takes him in the world of cricket? Will it be a start to yet an other cricketing great or it will be just a passing story.