Top 5 Indian cricketers with longest gap between playing two consecutive ODIs

Indian fast bowler Jaydev Unadkat returned to ODI playing XI after a long gap of 9 years, 8 months and 11 days.

Cricket in India has witnessed the rise of exceptional players who have made a lasting impact on the sport. Among these individuals, some have embarked on remarkable journeys characterized by considerable gaps between their appearances in One Day Internationals (ODIs). These Indian players have exemplified unwavering determination and resilience, overcoming various challenges that resulted in extended breaks from international cricket.

In this exploration, we will delve into the inspiring stories of these players, shedding light on their extraordinary dedication and commitment that allowed them to stage triumphant comebacks to the cricket field and continue leaving a significant imprint on the game.

On August 1, 2023, Jaydev Unadkat made a comeback to India’s playing XI in the 50-over format after a long period of 9 years and 251 days. His journey since his last ODI appearance on November 21, 2013, has been quite difficult. On that account, we have a look at the top 5 Indian cricketers with longest gap between two consecutive ODI matches.

Here is the list of the Top 5 Indian Players with the longest span between their appearances in ODIs.

5. Robin Uthappa (5 years, 344 days):

Robin Uthappa had an eventful cricketing journey, being part of India’s squad for the inaugural ICC T20 World Cup in 2007. Known for his versatility in batting positions, he faced a dip in his career after the Asia Cup finals against Sri Lanka in 2008. To earn his place back in the national team, Uthappa endured a long wait of 5 years and 344 days before making a comeback in 2014 against Bangladesh.

4. Parthiv Patel (6 years, 133 days):

Parthiv Patel, one of India’s youngest players to debut in Test cricket at the age of 17, also started his ODI career in 2002. However, with the emergence of MS Dhoni as a potential wicket-keeper batsman, Patel faced limited opportunities after his game against Sri Lanka in the 2004 Asia Cup. His next call to the national team came in 2010 under Gautam Gambhir’s captaincy, but his inconsistent performances resulted in his eventual ouster from the squad.

3. Amit Mishra (6 years, 160 days):

Former India leg-spinner Amit Mishra, made his ODI debut against Bangladesh right after the 2003 World Cup in a tri-series against South Africa and Bangladesh. He played 3 games in the tournament and then was sidelined from the ODI side for 6 years and 160 days, making his return in the ICC Champions Trophy in September 2009 against Australia in a group stage game. Since then, he was in and out of the Indian ODI side till 2016, when he played his last game against New Zealand and picked 5 wickets in the game conceding just 18 runs.

Overall, he represented India in 36 ODIs, picking up 64 wickets with a best of 6/48 against Zimbabwe in 2013.

2. Robin Singh (7 years, 230 days):

Robin Singh, the Trinidad-born Indian all-rounder, represented the country between 1989 and 2001. After making his ODI debut in 1989, he played one more game before being sidelined from the team for seven years. Singh finally made a comeback in late-1996. However, he was dropped from the national team in 2001 as captain Sourav Ganguly aimed to build a young team.

1. Jaydev Unadkat (9 Years, 251 Days):

The inclusion of Jaydev Unadkat in the Indian playing XI for the third ODI match against West Indies in Trinidad on India’s tour of West Indies 2023 has marked a momentous occasion in the cricketing world. After an astonishing 9 years and 251 days, Unadkat finally returned to the India playing XI in ODIs once again, achieving a unique record with the longest intervals between games for an Indian player.

The journey has been quite difficult for Unadkat since his last ODI appearance for India on November 21, 2013.

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