Unadkat replaces Shami for India vs Bangladesh Tests

Unadkat will join the team in Chattogram for the first Test as a replacement for Mohammed Shami. The left-arm quick hasn’t played a Test since December 2010.

Jaydev Unadkat bowls during the Irani Cup final between Saurashtra and the Rest of India in Rajkot on October 1, 2022. | Photo Credit: PTI

Jaydev Unadkat will join the Indian team for the forthcoming Test series against Bangladesh, starting next week.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is yet to make an official announcement. But it has already informed the Saurashtra Cricket Association that Unadkat will join the team in Chattogram for the first Test as a replacement for Mohammed Shami.

The Indian team has been struggling with a spate of injuries. Earlier this week, Kuldeep Sen and Deepak Chahar were also ruled out of the ODIs due to injuries.

There are doubts over captain Rohit Sharma, who had to fly back to Mumbai to consult doctors.

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Unadkat’s selection means he will miss Saurashtra’s Ranji Trophy campaign-starter against Assam. The last few years have been rewarding for Unadkat - as a fast bowler and Saurashtra captain.

He led Saurashtra to its maiden Ranji Trophy title win in 2019-20 season, and under his captaincy, the team also won the Vijay Hazare Trophy title last week.

The 31-year-old was the highest wicket-taker when the side won the Ranji Trophy title in 2019-20 with 67 wickets, and topped the wickets chart in the Vijay Hazare Trophy with 19 wickets in 10 games.

Unadkat is currently in Rajkot, waiting to complete his visa formalities, and is expected to join the squad in a couple of days. A regular performer in domestic cricket, Unadkat hasn’t played a Test since December 2010. He featured in a lone Test against South Africa in December in 2010.