Jaydev Unadkat on past IPL captains: One bad game and I was out

Rising Pune Supergiant's in-form pacer, who is all set for Sunday's summit clash with MI, reveals he didn't get true support from his past IPL captains

RPS pacer Jaydev Unadkat celebrates after claiming a fifer against Sunrisers in Uppal, Hyderabad earlier this month. Pic/AFP

Rising Pune Supergiant's left-arm seamer Jaydev Unadkat has played a key role in his team's maiden entry into the final. He is the second highest wicket-taker in this edition with 22 wickets from 11 matches, just behind Bhuvaneshwar Kumar (Sunrisers Hyderabad), who has 26 wickets from 14 games. Interestingly, Unadkat did not feature in Pune's first four matches, but that can be attributed to the period when teams were trying to weigh their strengths and weaknesses through various combinations.

But, from the time he played his first game against Royal Challengers Bangalore in Bangalore on April 16, the lanky left-arm speedster from Saurashtra has ensured that his performance stands out in every game. His bowling stats going into the final reads: 11 matches, 41.5 overs, 303 runs, 22 wickets with best bowling figures of 5-30 including a hat-trick maiden. In fact, he has picked a wicket in every game that he has played in this edition so far. So, for someone who was slowly slipping from BCCI's selection radar, like his price slipped in the IPL auction, what brought about this turnaround? In a freewheeling chat with mid-day, Unadkat said that his hunger to do well and the indifference shown by previous teams (Delhi Daredevils, Kolkata Knight Riders, Royal Challengers Bangalore) he played for were reasons behind his fine show in this IPL.
Excerpts:

You didn't play in Pune's first four games, but once you came in, people witnessed a different Unadkat. Are you trying to prove something to somebody?
Not at all. I am not trying to prove anything to anybody. I am also not doing anything differently than what I used to. It's just the fact that I was eager to come back stronger this time and I was very motivated to do well. This must have triggered this performance. I had put on lot of hard work through the year and I knew that my time would come. I also knew that whenever I get a chance I will have to capitalise. In the last few years, I had very fruitful domestic seasons, but didn't do well in the IPL. One bad game and I was out of the reckoning.

I didn't get the support that I needed from past captains as well in all the IPL teams that I played. So, I knew from the start itself that whatever chance I get, whether at the start of the season or during the later stages, I need to capitalise. Probably, that hunger to do well, is what was different from the past couple of seasons. The first match was important this year, and after doing well there I just got the confidence and just picked up from there. I also got good support from the management, from Flem (head coach Stephen Fleming) and Smithy (skipper Steven Smith), so I can say that the season has been brilliant for me so far.

How hopeful were you about your chances?
I was bowling well in the nets from the start. I always had the coach's confidence that I was on the right path. The team was looking at different combinations, so I just kept working hard. Moreover, I have been through such uncertain situations many times in my career, but have always fought my way back into the team. Working hard on the skills in the nets and coming back stronger — that was not new to me. So, I knew my chance would come if I am good enough to play and the captain and the coach thinks that I am good enough. I had to keep myself fit and ready – that's what I kept doing at the nets.

Even the IPL preparations were very good this year. I was doing everything that was needed of me to do. That probably came with some experience as well. Now I know my strong points and weaknesses. I know how to train myself, I know what areas of my bowling I need to work on, all these things were going on the right path and it is all about keeping your mind clear on what to do at the right time.

Can you elaborate on Steven Smith's support…
My experience of playing with Smith and MS Dhoni has been brilliant. I bowled couple of last overs and I bowled at the death a lot this season. It is very important to have the backing of the captain when you are bowling in such pressure situations. That is one thing I had from Smithy throughout the season. He had this confidence in me that I know how to execute my plans. That itself gives you a lot of confidence going into pressure situations, same thing with Mahi bhai too.

Can you provide an example of Smith trusting you to do it your way?
When I was bowling the last over to Rohit Sharma in our second game against Mumbai Indians, the plan was to bowl the slower one wide of the crease. I did and Rohit hit me for a six. It was important for me to back myself at that point of time and Smithy came and said, 'I will back you no matter what you want to do, I am ok if you want to bowl the slower one again and I am ok if you want to bowl a different ball too.' This kind of talks really motivates a bowler.

Mahibhai on the other hand, is inspiring but also critical when he needs to be - like that match against Sunrisers when I picked up five wickets. I also went for a boundary in between and Mahibhai came to me after a wicket and said that I shouldn't have allowed the pressure to be released and that I am a good enough bowler to pin such batsmen down. Those points, those encouraging words really inspire you to go and give your best every time you walk out to play.

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