During Thursday’s IPL 2026 match against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) captain Ajinkya Rahane never looked comfortable against Jaydev Unadkat‘s pace variations, and eventually, the sharply disguised slower one put Rahane out of his misery on the night.
Unadkat’s 115.3 cutter dug into the surface, took eternity to reach the KKR skipper, who could not get any timing on the shot, and ended up chipping the ball in the air, which Eshan Malinga collected, running in from the deep. Unadkat would return later in the game and, with his cutters, take two more wickets to help SRH register their first win of the season.
The 34-year-old has played a crucial part in SRH’s bowling plans since coming into the setup in 2024, bowling his pace-off deliveries at different phases of the game. Until Pat Cummins becomes available, he has to spearhead the inexperienced bowling attack.