Kedar Jadhav has a knack of picking up crucial wickets and he did the same during the high-profile Asia Cup clash against Pakistan in Dubai on Wednesday (September 19).
Jadhav, who has made a comeback after recovering from a hamstring injury, picked up three wickets to tear apart the Pakistani middle-order. The Pakistani batsmen found it extremely difficult to read Jadhav's round-arm action as he bowled straight and wide. He got rid of Sarfraz (6), Asif Ali (9) and Shadab Khan (8) in quick succession to help India bundle out Pakistan on 162 in 43.1 overs.
Speaking after the match, Jadhav said a tweak in his fitness regimen after a surgery in April has helped him become a better cricketer.
“I feel my fitness has improved after my surgery, and in the last four months I have learnt a lot about training and fitness. It has definitely helped me and has made me a different cricketer,” Kedar told the reporters.
“Every time I did my rehab previously, I used to start playing, (thinking) that the problems won’t come back again. Many a time I also used to miss my routine, but now, regardless of how I feel, I start my day with either gym or running. That gives me confidence that I’m getting stronger and fitter every day, and that helps me on the field,” he explained.
During the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy, Jadhav had provided Team India with vital breakthroughs whenever they were needed it the most. The Maharashtra born batsman has thus far scalped 19 wickets in 42 ODIs at an average of 29.63 with his part-time off-spin.
When asked about the secret behind his wicket-taking art, Jadhav attributed it to not bowling much in the nets.
“I don’t bowl much in the nets. Honestly, I just bowl a couple of overs in the practice session before a match. I think if I try and work on my bowling in the net sessions, then whatever is there … it might get broken. So I stay in my limit,” he revealed.
“We try to do what we’re expected to do – bowling in the right areas, you know, keeping the pressure while the fielders are in the circle. If we stick to the processes, the results will take care of itself, and that’s what I feel is happening,” Kedar Jadhav concluded.
Team India will now take on Bangladesh in the first Super 4 clash of the Asia Cup in Dubai on Friday (September 21).
(With ICC inputs)
