Kedar Jadhav joining the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) for the ongoing IPL 2023 season was a huge surprise for everyone following the game. Jadhav, 38, had gone unsold in the IPL 2023 auction and was doing commentary on Jio Cinema in Marathi.
Jadhav replaced David Willey in the RCB side after the English all-rounder suffered a foot injury and flew back home to treatment and recovery.
Jadhav began his IPL career in 2010 with Delhi Daredevils (now Capitals) against RCB, becoming one of just nine Indians to score a half-century on debut. He has played 93 matches in the IPL, scoring 1196 runs. The right-handed batter has previously represented RCB in 17 matches during the 2016-17 season.
Kedar Jadhav, who last featured in the IPL in 2021, was roped in by RCB for INR 1 crore.
IPL 2023: RCB announce Kedar Jadhav as replacement for David Willey for remainder of tournament
The Maharashtra batter talked about how he joined the RCB franchise for IPL 2023 in a video shared by the franchise on social media. He said that the head coach Sanjay Bangar gave him a call to check on his fitness, he wanted him to play for RCB.
"I was doing commentary and Sanjay Bangar called me asking what are you doing, I said I am doing commentary, he said are you practicing and I said yeah, twice a week. So he asked fitness-wise and I said gym and all I am doing in my hotel so I am in shape. He said give me some time, I'll call you back. That moment only I realized that he is about to call me and tell me that I want you to come and play for RCB,” said Jadhav.
Jadhav admitted that he was surprised that RCB wanted him to join the squad and added that he would give his 110 percent for them.
"Absolutely surprised, but a pleasant surprise, very exciting opportunity so I wanted to thank the support staff for giving me this opportunity to join the team and make sure I give my 110 percent,” Jadhav added.
Speaking about his successful domestic season, Jadhav said he still has the hunger to play, insisting that whenever he has prepared himself, he has performed well.
The right-hander scored 555 runs at an average of 92.50 in four matches for Maharashtra in the Ranji Trophy this season.
"I took a break for a year but then I realized that I was missing my passion and when I came back in first class cricket, I found it very easy to be honest because of all the experience I have, the hunger was there which was in the early '20s, the hunger to score big runs was there and that's when I felt I can now come back and play again at all the levels and when I've prepared for it, I've always performed well,” said Jadhav.
38-year-old joined the RCB camp ahead of their game against Lucknow recently.
