Forgotten Starts: 5 Indian pacers who faded away after their international debut
In a cricket-crazy country of more than a billion people, being among the best is extremely tough. A lot of talented young guns are able to get a chance to represent the nation at the top level. But injuries and lack of consistency make it difficult to retain their places in a hyper-competitive playing XI.
When it comes to the pacers, Indian cricket has been fortunate enough to have good reserve options. But in the first decade of the 21st century, the case wasn’t the same. A lot of rookies played a bit early at the international level and were left out soon after making their maiden appearance on the big stage:
Jaydev Unadkat
A decade ago, I played my first test. A decade later, I can’t wait to make my test debut, again!? pic.twitter.com/FLOWZr2TFN
— Jaydev Unadkat (@JUnadkat) December 16, 2020
Saurashtra left-arm pacer Jaydev Unadkat made his Test debut against South Africa at the SuperSport Park in 2010. However, it was a forgettable debut as he returned figures of 0/101 in 26 overs. Unadkat has also represented India in seven ODIs and 10 T20Is, taking 8 and 14 wickets respectively. He led Saurashtra to the Ranji Trophy 2019/20 with 67 wickets in a single season. He has been a part of multiple IPL teams in 80 matches with 81 wickets to his name. It has been a decade since he made his international debut but Unadkat isn’t anywhere near India’s scheme of things. Though the pacer himself is quite optimistic and strives harder with each passing day.
Varun Aaron
One of India’s fastest bowlers, Jharkhand’s Varun Aaron made his Test debut against West Indies at the Wankhede in 2011. He picked up 3 wickets in his first Test. He represented India in 9 Tests and 9 ODIs, with 29 international wickets to his kitty. But Aaron’s career has been marred with injuries, because of which he could not sustain himself for a longer period of time in the international squads. He has taken 42 wickets in 48 IPL matches, and numbers don’t reflect his true potential.
Ashok Dinda
Bengal pacer Ashok Dinda is a well-reputed cricketer in the domestic circles. However, he could not maintain the same level of consistency in the Indian national team. He made his T20 debut in 2009 against Sri Lanka at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium and had figures of 1/34 in 3 overs. He took 17 wickets in 9 T20Is and 12 wickets in 13 ODIs. Dinda failed to make it big because of his tendency to be expensive, especially in the death overs.
VRV Singh
Uttar Pradesh pacer Vikram Raj Vir Singh caught the eye of the national selectors back in 2006. He made his Test debut against West Indies in Antigua – where he took 2 wickets. He played for India in 5 Tests and 2 ODIs and had 8 international wickets to his name. VRV’s career was severely affected by injuries, as a result of which he could not get much of an opportunity to represent the Men in Blue. He played in the IPL as well, taking just 12 wickets in 19 matches.
Vinay Kumar
Karnataka medium0pacer Vinay Kumar made his Test debut against Australia at the WACA in 2012. It wasn’t the one to cherish, with figures of 1/73 in just 13 overs. He made his ODI and T20 debut in 2010. He has played 1 Test, 31 ODIs, and 9 T20s and has 49 international wickets.
Kumar’s inconsistency and the fact that he leaked runs in the death overs were the major reason for his ouster from the squad. Besides, Bhuvaneshwar Kumar and Mohammed Shami also burst onto the scene at the same time. He continued to ply his trade in the IPL, and he’s still in the elite list of Indian pacers with more than 100 wickets – 105. Kumar has also been a revered name in Karnataka’s domestic circuit for years. In 2019, the 36-year-old moved to represent Puducherry in domestic cricket.
