Left-arm seamer Jaydev Unadkat has been included in India’s Test squad for the upcoming Test series against Bangladesh as a replacement for the injured Mohammad Shami. Unadkat is currently in Rajkot, waiting to complete his visa formalities, and is expected to link up with the Test squad in Chattogram over the next couple of days.
The Saurashtra seamer has been recalled to the Test side 12 years since his debut against South Africa in 2010. Unadkat has also represented India in seven ODIs and ten T20Is picking up 8 and 14 wickets respectively.
The 31-year-old had a forgettable debut as he was hammered for 101 runs in 26 overs and failed to grab a wicket. However, the left-arm pacer has been a tireless performer at the domestic level, leading Saurashtra to several titles. He was also the highest wicket-taker of the 2019-20 Ranji Trophy with 67 scalps. He was the top wicket-taker in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, with 19 scalps in 10 games. In all, he has picked 353 wickets in 96 first-class matches.
Unadkat can break the record for the longest gap between two Tests but an Indian if he is picked to play in any of the Tests in the series. The record currently stands with former India Parthiv Patel, who had to wait for eight years for a Test comeback.
KL Rahul will be leading India if Rohit fails to recover
India A captain Abhimanyu Easwaran and left-arm spinner Saurabh Kumar have also been asked to stay back in Bangladesh as backups for captain Rohit Sharma and all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja. Sharma suffered a thumb injury while attempting to take Bangladesh opener Anamul Haque Bijoy’s catch in the second ODI on December 7 and Jadeja has been out of the squad since Asia Cup due to a freak injury.
KL Rahul is set to open the batting with Shubman Gill in the first Test match at Chattogram. Rahul, the designated vice-captain of the tour, will also lead India if Rohit doesn’t return. Official confirmation for that, however, is awaited.
India and Bangladesh will play a two-match Test series starting December 14th at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Chattogram while the second Test will begin on 22nd December at Shere Bangla National Stadium, Dhaka.
