Bowling gives Jadhav the edge in middle-order battle
dubai — As the auditions for the middle-order slots, India may have just about locked that No.6 position for the World Cup England if Kedar Jadhav’s showing against Pakistan in the Asia Cup in Dubai is anything to go by.
Jadhav has been assigned the role of a finisher but the 33-yearold proved more than handy with the ball to make the blockbuster fixture, virtually a no-contest.
India had lost a key man after bowling all-rounder Hardik Pandya was stretchered off following an acute lower back injury in the 18th over and was rendered hors de combat. They had to turn to someone to not just get some crucial overs in but also nick a few wickets. Returning fitter following surgery to his troublesome left hamstring, Jadhav made incisions with his offspin to cut through Pakistan’s middle order.
Jadhav snaffled opposition skipper Sarfraz Ahmed, Asif Ali and Shadab Khan for his best bowling figures of 3-23. And it couldn’t have more ironic that two of those wickets came in partnership with former captain and wicketkeeper MS Dhoni. The astute mind that he is, Dhoni had felt back in 2016 that there was more to Jadhav than just his batting and he was proven right. And Jadhav reminded everyone of the influence Dhoni has had on his career.
“I’ve always said since the time Dhoni bhai asked me bowl in that New Zealand series, my life as a cricketer has completely changed and I’m feeling more confident about it,” said Jadhav.
“My bowling is more about read- ing a lot about the batsman and bowl accordingly. And if I can do that, 90 percent of the time, I would be successful. My plan is very simple, bowl stump to stump line,” he added.
Jadhav took 2-6 in three overs in Dharamsala and 3-29 in five overs at Mohali against New Zealand in that series.
On Wednesday in Dubai, Jadhav had Sarfraz caught brilliantly by substitute fielder Manish Pandey, while Asif Ali was caught behind by Dhoni. Shadab danced down Jadhav and missed and Dhoni did the rest. Jadhav revealed that he hardly bowls in the nets and added in a lighter vein that he isn’t striving to become a bowler as he might lose what he has.
“Honestly, before a match, I just bowl one or two overs during the practice session. I don’t bowl that much in the nets because I feel that if I try to become a bowler, I’m worried that I might lose what I have. So, I stay in my limits,” joked Jadhav. As far as batting is concerned, my role is that of a finisher. And my ambition is to perform well and win more games for India,” added Jadhav, who has 19 wickets from 42 matches.
Meanwhile, Jadhav said he has come back a better man after missing out on the tour of England due to his recurring hamstring injury.
“More than six months, I got injured three times with the same left hamstring. I got injured again during the IPL so we decided to go for a surgery. After the surgery, it has definitely helped me fitness-wise. Obviously, now, I don’t have that feeling that I will get injured again and over the last four months, I’ve learnt a lot about training and fitness and it has definitely helped me and made me a different cricketer,” he said.