I have seen Axar Patel doing Garba, and he does it well: Jaydev Unadkat

Left-arm fast bowler Jaydev Unadkat enjoys being a quintessential Gujarati. In a light-hearted conversation with JioCinema, the Porbandar-born player took great pride in the culture he has grown up in. “The first thing I do after coming back from any tour is have Jalebi and Gaathiya, that’s being a typical Gujju,” he said on being asked what makes him a Gujarati. The same happens to be his guilty pleasure for Sunday snacking.

Unadkat, who led Saurashtra this year to a second Ranji Trophy in the last three seasons, also revealed his unabashed love for buttermilk. “I cannot have a meal without buttermilk. If I am travelling outside India, I take yoghurt add it to water, mix it and voila, my favorite buttermilk is ready,” Unadkat said. The 32-year-old also divulged his affection for handmade winter season Gujarati sweets his mother would make for him to carry on tours. “I carry Makhanas for snacking on tour but Til Mandvi Chikki and Adadiya Pak made by mom is a must in winters,” said the Lucknow Super Giants player.

Responding to quick-fire questions on players who would be called in typical Gujarati fashion, Unadkat said he would coin MS Dhoni as the Mota Bhai, Ishan Kishan, and Rishab Pant would compete for being Harakh Padudo (enthusiastic and overzealous), Cheteshwar Pujara as Bhagwan No Maanas (the most innocent one) and Surya Kumar Yadav as Jalebi Jevo Seedho (as straight as a Jalebi).

Speaking on symbolic Gujarati celebrations, Unadkat admitted that Ravindra Jadeja would make for a better kite flyer. When quizzed about the best Garba performers among his teammates, Unadkat named his best friend Axar Patel. “I have seen him, and he does it well, but I can bet I am much better than Cheteshwar Pujara,” he concluded.

Unadkat is part of the LSG squad and the team will next take on PBKS on April 15 at the BRABV Ekana Stadium.