'Will keep fighting till the end' - Jaydev Unadkat after not being part of Sri Lanka tour

India’s left-arm pacer Jaydev Unadkat has decided not to regret repeated snubs from the Indian cricket team selectors and instead focus on his game in the same way he has done for many years now.

A domestic cricket stalwart, Unadkat has continued to be on the sidelines despite having a stellar record for Saurashtra, the team he led to their maiden Ranji Trophy title in 2020 with a record-breaking 67 wickets.

Unadkat, 29, last donned the international jersey in 2018 and after years of ignorance, he expected to be selected for India’s tour of Sri Lanka, given that the majority of the first-choice players occupied with World Test Championship final and the subsequent Test series against England. However, much to his disappointment, his painful wait continues.

After being ignored for the umpteenth time, the pacer took to social media and shared a long post on Saturday, giving a glimpse of his mental state after another snub.

I am going to appreciate what comes my way and keep fighting: Jaydev Unadkat

“I found my passion when I was a kid, inspired by watching all the greats of the game play with all their heart on the field. All these years later, I got to experience it myself,” wrote Jaydev on Twitter.

“And above everything else, that never say die attitude that I saw in them and nurtured inside myself, stayed with me! When I was young, some labelled me as a raw, erratic bowler, an over-dreaming bloke coming from a small town.

“Slowly, their perception changed. and that’s cos I changed. I matured. the highs, the lows, the enormous joy, the extreme disappointment! Oh, what would I have been without sport.

“This game has given me so much, and not for one moment, am I gonna repent on why not me, or when will my time come and what have I done wrong. I have got my chances in the past & I will still get them. It will be when it will be!,” he elaborated.

“At this point in my career, with all the useful experience that I’ve fortunately gathered, I’m only going to appreciate what comes my way and keep fighting till the very end. (and that’s not gonna be soon, sure!).

“Maybe that could be taken as being soft, but then, I’ll keep the ruthlessness and aggression for when I’m out there on the field.

“I am super grateful for your good wishes & support. Time to focus on my next game. and work even harder. Until then, social media detox mode on,” Unadkat said. He has played one Test, seven ODIs and 10 T20s for India.

💪🏼🔥 pic.twitter.com/4Yo4r0VKeK

— Jaydev Unadkat (@JUnadkat) June 12, 2021