‘Jaydev Unadkat might not play this series’ - Dinesh Karthik's take on pacer getting spot in India's XI

KL Rahul-led team India will lock horns with hosts Bangladesh in a two-match Test series starting December 14 in Chattogram. As the team gears up, veteran India batter Dinesh Karthik opined that pacer Jaydev Unadkat may not find his spot in the playing XI in the two contests against the Bangla Tigers.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BBCI) made changes to the squad and announced the updated one ahead of the series. Jaydev Unadkat earned a callup and made his way back into the setup in the red-ball side. Karthik, who feels he might not get to play any of the games, cited Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Shardul Thakur as possible bowlers who could have better chances of playing in the series.

“I think Unadkat might not play this series, to be very honest. There is Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Shardul Thakur. There is a good chance he might not end up playing this series, but I think that is okay. The fact that he was rewarded, he has been given those whites to represent India, be part of the team, that matters the most. He might not even find a place in the team for the Australia series, with Bumrah or Shami coming in, we might move on," Karthik told Cricbuzz.

He is probably the most deserving fast bowler: Dinesh Karthik

Jaydev Unadkat relished a terrific run in the recently concluded Vijay Hazare Trophy as he racked up 19 wickets in 10 matches and was the leading wicket-taker in the competition. However, the pacer has not had much of red-ball experience with the national side as his last Test match was against South Africa back in 2010 which was interestingly also his debut. Dinesh Karthik was of the opinion that Unadkat's performances in the domestic circuit earned him a place in the squad.

“An absolutely heart-warming story, he is probably the most deserving fast bowler from the Indian domestic cricket in the last couple of years for sure. I think he plays in a state where, we obviously know how the Rajkot wicket is, to get the number of wickets he has taken, led the team so well," he added.