IPL Auction 2018: Jaydev – Man of the moment!
Published on: Jan 29, 2018 6:10 pm IST|Updated on: Mar 5, 2018 1:26 pm IST
Jaydev Unadkat emerged as the dark horse when he went for a colossal 11.5 crore to Rajasthan Royals and became the most expensive Indian Player in the eleventh edition of IPL auction.
Filmy Twist:
The left-arm pacer was practicing for the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy when the announcement of his name was made.
Unadkat feels elated to recall the moment when Chennai Super Kings chief coach Stephen Fleming and Kings XI Punjab co-owner Preity Zinta were fighting to get him in their IPL teams.
“One moment I thought I will go to Kings XI Punjab but then suddenly Rajasthan Royals came in, and everybody started to clap. It was like a filmy twist,” he reminisces.
Auction scenes during our practise session today!! Fortunate to have my Saurashtra teammates around me who were happier and going crazier all the way! #MilesToGo #AbBajegaDanka #HallaBol @rajasthanroyals pic.twitter.com/432zs3ZCQS
— Jaydev Unadkat (@JUnadkat) January 28, 2018
Striking it Rich:
The left-armer has took 24 wickets in 12 matches at an average of 13.41 and an economy rate of 7.02 in 2017 IPL. Unadkat has proved his mettle in the recent T20 series against Sri Lanka where he clinched ‘man of the series award’ taking 4 wickets in 3 matches at an average of 11 and an economy of 4.88.
Money was the last concern:
“Last year, I did well in IPL and knew that Dhoni and Smith would go for me during the IPL auction. But I was not thinking about the money. I was happy to know that CSK and Kings XI Punjab wanted me by their side,”
The heavy pay cheque of Rs 11.5 crore will certainly bring extra responsibilities and expectations.
Two contrasting IPL seasons
Season 1: His first season of IPL in 2016 with Kolkata Knight Riders was a disappointing one. During Powerplay at Wankhede stadium, Unadkat had conceded 27 runs in two overs, with Rohit Sharma helping himself to a six and Ambati Rayudu carving three consecutive fours during the second of those. It proved the last opportunity Unadkat got that season and soon KKR released him.
Season 2: In next season he played for now defunct Rising Pune Super Giants, Unadkat was given the responsibility of defending 17 runs off the last over. Rohit Sharma and Hardik were firmly batting at the crease. Unadkat first got Pandya and Rohit to help Supergiants win by three runs in a closely contested match. Unadkat finished second on the 2017 IPL bowling charts, picking 24 wickets in 12 games while striking every 11.4 deliveries.
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