Jaydev Unadkat's price tag did not translate into wickets in IPL 2018. He managed only 11 wickets from 15 matches, forcing RR to release him. This was far from his great showing the previous edition, where he took 24 wickets from 12 games and was very good in the death overs
Jaipur: Left-arm fast bowler Jaydev Unadkat was a special place at Indian Premier League (IPL) auctions. Despite not-so-impressive returns on the field, his stocks suddenly raise during players auctions. And it was again witnessed on Tuesday.
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In February 2017, he was picked up by Rising Pune Supergiants (RPS) at his base price of Rs 30 lakh. But this year has been a great turnaround in his career. Before this, in 2013, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) had paid $ 5,25,000. In 2014, Delhi Daredevils (DD) bought him for Rs 2.8 crore. In 2016, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) re-signed him for Rs 1.6 crore.
In January this year, Unadkat won a whopping Rs 11.5 crore bid from Rajasthan Royals (RR), raising many eyebrows. He was the most expensive Indian cricketer at the auction.
However, his price tag did not translate into wickets in IPL 2018. He managed only 11 wickets from 15 matches, forcing RR to release him. This was far from his great showing the previous edition, where he took 24 wickets from 12 games and was very good in the death overs.
But guess what, RR bid for him again on Tuesday and bought him for Rs 8.4 crore. RR had to bid for him again give their limited pace bowling options. They had retained Dhawal Kulkarni, Jofra Archer and Ben Stokes.
It was a price correction from the franchise to what they did 11 months ago. But still, many were left wondering why Unadkat attracted such a big price.
The 27-year-old Unadkat has been the joint costliest buy so far in the auction. He had entered the auction with a base price was Rs 1.5 crore.
Unadkat has played one Test, seven ODIs and 10 T20Is for India. At the international level too, he did not make it big. The last time he represented India was in March this year, in a T20I against Bangladesh in Colombo.
With his limited bowling abilities, he could not succeed at the highest level. He doesn’t have a lot of variety. However, he overcomes his weaknesses with his slower/knuckle ball.
When it comes to IPL, most of the franchises still consider him to be a good T20 bowler, with the 2017 showing for Pune showing his worth. Also, with only four foreigners allowed in the playing XI, Indian quick bowlers were in demand at the auction.
The demand for Unadkat rose as there were limited options of Indian fast bowlers in the auction pool. With his re-signing, RR will be hoping that he can replicate his IPL 2017 showing in the next edition. Also, there are speculations that the tournament might be shifted out of India due to the general elections.
2018 - 15 matches (11 wickets)
2017 - 12 matches (24 wickets)
2016 - 1 match (0)
2015 - 1 match (0)
2014 - 9 matches (9 wickets)
2013 - 13 matches (13 wickets)
2012 - 1 match (0)
2011 - 7 matches (6 wickets)
2010 - 3 matches (4 wickets)
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