Jaydev Unadkat took a moment to reflect as he stood on the winner’s platform and then swiftly asked to have Arpit Vasavada stand next to him as he hoisted the Ranji Trophy for the second time in as many years. The fact that Unadkat, who took 6 for 85 in a valiant effort, thought of Vasavada in his moment of glory speaks volumes about the teamwork and unity of this Saurashtra team, which is quickly rising to the top of the domestic scene.
After Saurashtra won the Vijay Hazare Trophy to kick off the season, they asked Barot’s wife to join the festivities. With their loved ones cheering them on, Saurashtra won the Indian domestic cricket championship. Unadkat and Vasavada’s joy at accomplishing a goal they set for themselves at the beginning of the season was palpable as they accepted the trophy.
The other players and staff clapped as the cameras swung to the sideline. Avi Barot, one of their own, died of a heart arrest before the season began, but not before he made the practice of clapping in unison famous. Barot joined his teammates on the 2020 victor’s podium.
“In a huddle just before the start of the season, I told the boys, ‘yes, we won the Vijay Hazare Trophy, but the big one is waiting. We’ve got to work hard to win it, I’m proud of what the guys have been able to achieve twice now in three seasons. This team has a lot of stability, which comes with performance, and everyone has done whatever was required of them.”
Unadkat said at the post-match presentation.
The original plan didn’t include having Unadkat participate in the final, and he was going to Australia since he was chosen to play in the Tests. India quickly won in Nagpur, and Unadkat could be seen pacing back and forth in his hotel room as he watched Saurashtra collapse to 42 for five while chasing 115 in the semi-final.
Unadkat requested to be cut from the Indian team on February 12. By a week, he had won the Ranji Trophy twice. His friends “Rahul and Rohit bhai” supported his decision to attend the final exam. “I wanted to go back into the game right away because it’s important,” he said.
After a close first inning, in which only 52 runs separated the two teams, in the 2019-20 season’s semi-final match against Gujarat, the victorious Saurashtra team was on the verge of elimination at 15 for 5. In only his second year of professional cricket, Sakariya was promoted to No. 5 to rattle the bowlers. He did his job, holding for almost three hours to make 45. Along with Vasavada (139 not out), he helped turn the tide in their innings, putting Saurashtra on the verge of a miracle victory.
