KOLKATA: It was a state vs country call for Jaydev Unadkat and the leftarm pacer ultimately decided in favour of the former. Unadkat, who was part of the India Test side for the ongoing home series against Australia, made a special request to be ‘released’ to play the Ranji final vs Bengal.
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“I was keen to get game time and the team management were equally keen. (Head coach) Rahul (Dravid) bhai also wanted me to go out there and play, it was a mutual decision,” he said on Wednesday.
But that did not mean that the Saurashtra skipper’s India dream is over.
“Playing a Ranji final and for India itself is a dream. I would rate both of them equal. Hopefully, I will win the trophy and go back to the (national) team,” Unadkat said.
The skipper, who inspired Saurashtra to the Ranji title three years back, is keen to win it for his statemate Cheteshwar Pujara, who will be making his 100th Test appearance at Kotla on Friday.
“I was part of the teamwhen he made his Test debut. There can’t be a better way to pay him a tribute (than winning Ranji title),” Unadkat wished.
He also stated that the Saurashtra trio of himself, Pujara and Ravindra Jadeja were keenly following the Ranji team while being at the national camp.
“Even during our quarters and semis, we were following it keenly together. They wished the team all the luck. Hopefully we will make them proud with the cricket we play,” he said.
Promising to play ruthless cricket, a hopeful Bengal skipper Manoj Tiwary looked ahead to the challenge.
“We stand a good chance in the final as our bowlers are consistent and our batters are among runs,” he said.
