Cricket

Saurashtra's Ranji Trophy campaign has hit a roadblock, with the team drawing and losing two games each in their first four outings. Despite the disappointing start, captain Jaydev Unadkat remains optimistic, attributing the setbacks to a necessary period of transition.Unadkat, who has led Saurashtra to three Ranji Trophy finals and two titles in the past five seasons, acknowledges the need for a changing of the guard. Senior players like Sheldon Jackson, Cheteshwar Pujara, and Arpit Vasavada are nearing the end of their careers, and Unadkat is keen on grooming young talent.This season, Saurashtra has already handed debuts to three players: pace bowlers Navneet Vora and Hiten Kanbi, and batter Parswaraj Rana. While Vora and Kanbi have shown promise, Rana has struggled to make an impact.Unadkat believes that providing opportunities to youngsters is crucial for the team's long-term success. "We want young players to come forward, and we want them to be given maximum opportunities," he said. "I want young players to settle in our team during my captaincy."Despite the team's struggles, Unadkat remains focused on guiding Saurashtra to victory in every match. "When I wake up in the morning, the first thought that comes to my mind is how our team will win, and how it will become better," he said.Unadkat is also preparing for the upcoming IPL auction, where he is among the 1574 players who have registered. While he hopes to return to Sunrisers Hyderabad, he is open to joining any team that values his bowling skills."I am definitely very excited about the auction," he said. "Mega auction is a big opportunity, but whatever the results of the auction, I am fully prepared to accept it... If I get my bowling role and I get to play, I will be satisfied."

Debutant pacer Gurjapneet Singh's exceptional spell (9-5-7-4) in the second innings propelled Tamil Nadu to a commanding position against Saurashtra in the Ranji Trophy (Elite Group D) clash at the Sri Ramakrishna College ground on Sunday.TN, who resumed day three on 278 for three, were bowled out for 367 at the stroke of lunch, securing a 164-run first-innings lead. Gurjapneet, wicketless in the first essay, wreaked havoc on the Saurashtra top-order, leaving the opposition reeling at 16 for five.The tall left-arm seamer exploited the new ball effectively, coming around the wicket and shaping it away from the right-handers. He also judiciously employed the short ball and claimed his maiden wicket when Chirag Jani, surprised by a bouncer, pulled it straight to mid-wicket.Gurjapneet then dismissed Cheteshwar Pujara, trapping him plumb in front for a duck. Parshwaraj Rana was the next to go, edging a pull to the keeper down the leg-side before Prerark Mankad got squared up and was caught behind.Earlier in the day, another left-arm pacer and Saurashtra skipper, Jaydev Unadkat (six for 61), led from the front as he scythed through the TN middle order with the second new ball, claiming his 24th five-for in first-class cricket.The veteran pacer kept it full, swinging it both ways and pinning the batters to the crease in his seven-over burst (7-3-13-4) that saw the home team lose five wickets for 18 runs.However, 18-year-old debutant C. Andre Siddarth (38) played an assured knock and, alongside M. Mohammed, added 60 runs for the ninth-wicket to take the lead past 150.With rain expected on the fourth and final day, Sai Kishore's men will desperately hope for sunshine as they sense an opportunity to start the season with a big win.

Jaydev Unadkat, the Indian left-arm pacer, has extended his contract with Sussex County Cricket Club for the 2025 and 2026 County Championship seasons. This extension marks Unadkat's continued commitment to the club, where he has made a significant impact since joining in 2023.Unadkat's initial stint with Sussex in 2023 saw him claim 15 wickets in three matches, showcasing his exceptional bowling skills. In 2024, he returned to the team and played a pivotal role in Sussex's Division Two title triumph, capturing 22 wickets at an impressive average of 14.40 in five games.Expressing his delight at the contract extension, Unadkat stated, "When I came to Hove last year, I wasn't sure what was on offer in the County Championship and how would I adapt to it. But after a few games now, I can definitely say Hove is my home away from home and Good Old Sussex by The Sea has my heart."Sussex head coach Paul Farbrace hailed Unadkat's contributions both on and off the field. "Jaydev's quality on the pitch has been so evident for everyone else to see, but just as importantly his qualities as a person make him one of the most popular and nicest guys any team could wish for," Farbrace said.Unadkat's current focus is on leading Saurashtra in the ongoing Ranji Trophy, which commenced on Friday. His impressive performances for Sussex and Saurashtra have solidified his reputation as a formidable bowler in both domestic and international cricket.

Sussex, aiming to secure promotion to the first division of the Vitality County Championship, made a strong start against Glamorgan at Hove. Left-arm seamer Jaydev Unadkat led the charge with a four-wicket haul, dismissing Asa Tribe, Sam Northeast, Colin Ingram, and Billy Root.Glamorgan, seeking their first Championship victory at Hove since 1975, struggled in the field as Tom Haines and Daniel Hughes put on a century partnership for the first wicket. Haines fell just before the close, but Hughes remained unbeaten on 57.Sussex's decision to bowl first on an overcast morning proved fruitful. Unadkat struck early, removing Tribe and Northeast in his opening overs. Henry Crocombe then dismissed Ingram and Root, leaving Glamorgan reeling at 70 for 4.After lunch, part-time bowler Tom Clark struck twice in quick succession, dismissing Ben Kellaway and Kiran Carlson. Chris Cooke was bowled by Ollie Robinson, and Glamorgan looked set to fold quickly.However, Dan Douthwaite and James Harris put up a spirited resistance, adding 49 runs for the eighth wicket. Unadkat eventually broke the partnership, dismissing Douthwaite and Andy Gorvin in quick succession. Harris was bowled by Jack Carson, and Glamorgan were all out for 186.Sussex's openers made a solid start in reply, with Haines and Hughes putting on 110 for the first wicket. Haines fell just before the close, but Hughes remained unbeaten on 57. Sussex ended the day on 121 for 1, trailing by just 65 runs with nine wickets in hand.

Jaydev Unadkat, a highly skilled bowler in India's domestic red-ball circuit, has faced a perplexing career trajectory. Despite consistently taking wickets, he has struggled to earn a permanent spot in the Indian Test team. Even when included in the squad, his playing time has been limited.As the Indian team prepares for the upcoming Test season, the BCCI selectors opted not to include Unadkat in the Duleep Trophy squads. Undeterred, the left-arm pacer signed for English county side Sussex, hoping to showcase his abilities and impress selectors."I'm thrilled to be back here. Hove is my second home. The team has been performing exceptionally this season, and I'm confident we'll secure promotion back to Division One, where we belong," Unadkat said in a video posted by Sussex.In his first season with Sussex, Unadkat made an immediate impact, claiming 11 wickets in four matches. His impressive performances helped the team finish third in Division 2."We are delighted to have Jaydev back for the final five championship matches of the season," said Sussex's head coach, Ian Salisbury. "He not only showcased his exceptional skills on the field but also proved to be a valuable asset to our team. Jaydev is a fantastic individual who shared his knowledge and supported our players."Unadkat was part of the Indian squad that toured the West Indies in 2023. His last appearance for the national team came in the second Test against the West Indies in July 2023.Despite his impressive domestic record and strong performances for Sussex, Unadkat's path to the Indian Test team remains uncertain. However, his determination and unwavering belief in his abilities suggest that he will continue to strive for his ultimate goal of representing India in the longest format of the game.

Jaydev Unadkat, the Indian left-arm pacer, has recently re-signed with Sussex for the final five games of the County Championship season. This move has brought to light a social media controversy surrounding Unadkat's previous stint with the English county.Unadkat's initial stint with Sussex in 2023 saw him play three of the team's final four first-class games, taking 11 wickets at an average of 24.18. However, a recent social media post by a user sparked a misunderstanding that led to Unadkat being trolled.The user claimed that Unadkat was "ONLY given a car & a flat" during his time in England. Unadkat responded by clarifying that the statement was inaccurate, stating that he was "given a flat & a car" while playing in the UK. He also emphasized that cricket remained his priority, regardless of where he played.Unadkat's response was met with support from fans and fellow cricketers, who condemned the trolling and highlighted the importance of understanding the full context before making judgments.Sussex head coach Paul Farbrace praised Unadkat's contributions to the team, describing him as a "fantastic person" who shared his knowledge and helped other players. Unadkat expressed his eagerness to return to Sussex and contribute to their promotion push.Unadkat's re-signing with Sussex is a testament to his talent and dedication. Despite the social media controversy, he remains focused on his cricket and is determined to help Sussex achieve success in the County Championship.

SunRisers Hyderabad's impressive performance in the ongoing IPL 2024 has sparked immense excitement among fans, leading to a viral video of over-enthusiastic supporters mobbing team stars Heinrich Klaasen and Jaydev Unadkat. The incident has raised concerns about crowd management and safety precautions.SRH's resurgence this season has been remarkable, with the team currently sitting fourth in the points table. Their aggressive batting lineup, featuring Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma, and Klaasen, has shattered records, including the highest total in IPL history.However, the viral video has cast a shadow over the team's success. It shows Klaasen and Unadkat being pushed and harassed by fans, prompting criticism of the SRH management for allowing such a large crowd without adequate security measures.Meanwhile, former Australian all-rounder Shane Watson has heaped praise on young Indian all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy, who has emerged as a standout performer for SRH. Watson hailed Reddy's dominance over experienced spinners Yuzvendra Chahal and Ravichandran Ashwin in the team's recent victory over Rajasthan Royals.Reddy's blistering 76* off 42 balls, including eight sixes, played a crucial role in SRH's one-run win. Watson described Reddy as a "special talent" and one of his favorite players to watch, highlighting his exceptional skill and ability to perform under pressure.Watson also acknowledged the IPL's role in showcasing young Indian cricketers with exceptional abilities. He believes that Reddy is one of many talented players who have emerged through the league, contributing to the abundance of talent in Indian cricket.