Jaydev Unadkat

His promise showed early. Unadkat led India's bowling at the 2010 Under-19 World Cup, and an IPL deal soon followed with Kolkata Knight Riders, where bowling coach Wasim Akram was impressed by what he could do. He was also a surprise inclusion in India's Test squad for a tour of South Africa. When his debut arrived, the South African batsmen took him apart, and some felt he was not yet ready for the international game. He kept performing in domestic cricket across formats, but success at the top level took longer to come.

His IPL path took him through several teams. After Kolkata he spent a single season with Royal Challengers Bangalore, then joined the Delhi franchise, and returned to Kolkata in 2016. Opportunities were limited throughout, and inconsistency held him back. When Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings were suspended, Rising Pune Supergiant was set up as a temporary side, and it became his next club. In 2017 he finally broke through, taking wickets regularly with the new ball and in the closing overs as Pune reached the IPL final. That form earned him a place in India's T20I sides, where he has remained a regular since his debut.

The 2017 season turned his career around. Rajasthan Royals made him the costliest buy of the 2018 auction, and he later acknowledged that the weight of that price affected him mentally that year. Rajasthan released him and then bought him back at auction, again for a large sum, though less than in 2018. Captaincy has helped him mature, and with India short of quality left-arm pace options, consistent domestic performances should keep him in the selectors' thoughts.