The 32-year-old Indian left-arm pacer Jaydev Unadkat has signed a multi-year extended contract with the English County team Sussex. 

Jaydev Unadkat started to play for Sussex in 2023, where the left-arm pacer took 11 wickets in three County Championship matches. Later, in the 2024 season, while Sussex won the Division Two title, Unadkat picked up 22 wickets in five matches with an average of 14.40. In the latest County Championship season, Unadkat ended with the best bowling average for his team. 

Good Old Sussex by The Sea has my heart: Jaydev Unadkat

Now, Unadkat has signed a two-year contract with Sussex. It means that the left-arm pacer will serve Sussex in the 2025 and 2026 County Championship seasons. 

In the official statement, Undakat said, "When I came to Hove last year, I wasn't sure what was on offer in the County Championship and how would I adapt to it. But after a few games now, I can definitely say Hove is my home away from home and Good Old Sussex by The Sea has my heart.”

One of the most popular and nicest guys any team could wish for: Sussex head coach

Meanwhile, Sussex head coach Paul Farbrace is excited with this contract extension news.  

Farbrace said, "Everyone at Hove is very pleased and excited that Jaydev [Unadkat] has signed a two-year extension and will be returning to the Club for the next two seasons. 

"Jaydev's quality on the pitch has been so evident for everyone else to see, but just as importantly his qualities as a person make him one of the most popular and nicest guys any team could wish for."

Undakat is currently busy in the Ranji Trophy where he is leading Saurashtra. 

SEE ALSO: England vs India 2025 Test schedule announced

India will tour England in the 2025 summer

While Unadkat is ready to return to Sussex for the next season, India will interestingly tour England in the 2025 summer for a five-match Test series. If the team India suffers any injury issue in the pace bowling line-up, Unadkat can be a good option. 

Unadkat made his international cricket debut in 2010 and has played four Tests, eight ODIs, and ten T20Is to pick up three, nine, and 14 wickets, respectively. 

During India's tour of the West Indies and the United States in 2023, Unadkat played his last Test and ODI matches. His last T20I was the Nidahas Trophy 2018 Final.

In his first-class cricket career, Unadkat has taken 425 wickets in 119 matches. He has also picked up 179 List A wickets and 226 T20 wickets in 124 and 191 matches, respectively.  

Jofra Archer, the England fast bowler, showcased his skills as he bowled for a Karnataka team during a practice match against Sussex at the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) on Friday, March 15.

Archer’s Training Camp in India

Archer arrived in India as part of a 10-day training camp for his County Championship side, Sussex, in Bengaluru. The camp aimed to prepare the team for the upcoming County season, with Lancashire also participating in a similar training program in Bengaluru.

See Also: IPL 2024: Will Shreyas Iyer play the opening match or not? Here’s the big update from the team manager

Although Archer did not bowl on the opening day of the tour game, he joined the Karnataka team as a substitute on Friday. Displaying his talent, Archer picked up two wickets in the morning session, including a stump-breaker delivery, showcasing his rhythm and skill.

Sussex Cricket Club Tweeted:

Jofra Archer is back in action! The speedster makes an impactful return during a practice match for a Karnataka team against Sussex in Bengaluru. Picking up two wickets, including a stump-breaker, Archer showed he’s in fine form. Great to see him back on the field!

After seeing the video, cricket fans started speculating that Jofra would be featured for RCB in the upcoming IPL season.

Future Prospects of Archer

Archer has been recovering from a stress fracture in his right elbow, which required surgery following the IPL 2023 season, where he represented the Mumbai Indians. Due to the recurrence of the injury, Archer opted out of IPL 2024, focusing on his rehabilitation and workload management under the guidance of the England and Wales Cricket Board.