Jadhav for keeping lid on emotions against Pakistan
GUARDED Batsman promises an intense approach vs Pakistan but says emotion will be left for supporters
NEW DELHI: Kedar Jadhav is all excited as he gears up for the ICC Champions Trophy 2017, which will be his first global tournament. However, emotion is one thing he wants the entire team to keep aside when they take on arch-rivals Pakistan in the opening game at Edgbaston on June 4.
Virat Kohli’s side will look to kick off their defence of the title they won in the UK in 2013 with a comprehensive victory over the Sarfraz Ahmed-led Pakistan with fans expected to pack into the stadium in Birmingham, a city dominated by expatriates from India and Pakistan.
Asked about his preparations, Jadhav told reporters in London on Monday: “As a professional cricketer, we don’t involve our emotions. We need to play every game with the same amount of intensity.
“It’s all about the crowd that creates this kind of environment. It’s good to have people coming to see the match when it is an IndiaPakistan game.
“But for us cricketers, it is always about treating every game with the same kind of intensity and treat every opponent with the same amount of respect.”
Although India emerged on top under Mahendra Singh Dhoni in 2013 on pitches helpful to bats- men, Kedar Jadhav, 32, feels bowlers could pose a challenge if conditions were akin to that of what they got in the warm-up tie against New Zealand at the Oval on Sunday. India dismissed the Kiwis to 189 and were 129/3 in 26 overs when rain arrived. India won under the Duckworth/Lewis rain rule.
“Here I saw yesterday, whoever was playing, it was not that at some point he was settled,” Jadhav pointed out. “Every run you have to work hard here, especially when the weather changes.
“If it remains like that, you have to apply (yourself). Play with an attacking frame of mind, but technique should be like you will need in a Test, first-class game. You need to leave whenever there is a good ball or swinging ball and you grab the opportunity whenever the scoring chance comes,” he added.
Jadhav left India a day after the rest of the squad due to a delay in receiving his passport with the visa stamped.