Jaydev Shah, IPL’s shocking selection story, denies dad’s role
It could be an interesting Indian Premier League (IPL) trivia to identify the domestic cricketer to figure in all 10 seasons of the T20 tournament despite not playing a match.
While IPL franchisees have not thought twice before dropping some big names from their team, Saurashtra captain Jaydev Shah remains a curious case for surviving the axe.
Jaydev has been part of four IPL teams since the tournament’s inception in 2008, but has ended up being on the bench in all seasons. Jaydev, better known as former BCCI and Saurashtra Cricket Association secretary Niranjan Shah’s son than for his cricketing credentials, was first picked by Rajasthan Royals in 2008. In the next season, Mumbai Indians bought Jaydev in the transfer window.
In 2011, Deccan Chargers took him before he again went back to Mumbai Indians. In the 2016 IPL auction, Jaydev was bought by Gujarat Lions for his base price of Rs 20 lakh. The franchise retained him for IPL 2017.
Since making his Twenty20 debut in 2007, Jaydev, a lefthanded batsman, has scored 551 runs at an average of 16.20 with a highest score of 49 and taken seven wickets bowling offspin.
Jaydev, however, maintains his father has had no role to play in his getting IPL team contracts despite not playing a single match.
“When I haven’t got a chance to prove on the ground, how will I justify it (selection in IPL). When my father gave me the opportunity to lead the Saurashtra Ranji Trophy team, I had to prove myself. So, when I get a chance (in the IPL), I will prove it,” Jaydev told Hindustan Times on Monday.
During the last Ranji Trophy season, Jaydev became the first player to lead a side for 100 matches.
Jaydev, who has been Saurashtra’s captain since 2004, led his team to their only title till date – Vijay Hazare Trophy (domestic one-day tournament) in 2007/08. He led Saurashtra to two Ranji Trophy finals in 2012/13 and 2015/16.
Jaydev said he has missed out on IPL chances due to the composition of the playing XI. “There have been situations when I couldn’t fit into the team combination. These things are not in my hands,” said Jaydev, who turns 34 on May 4.
JAYDEV, HOWEVER, MAINTAINS HIS FATHER HAS HAD NO ROLE TO PLAY IN HIS GETTING IPL TEAM CONTRACTS DESPITE NOT PLAYING A SINGLE MATCH