Unfortunately for Kedar Jadhav, the India call-up came about two years late, when he wasn't the same batsman, who would step out and hit Sunil Narine for sixes over cover when nobody even imagined it is possible in those days in the IPL.
Yet, when he finally got the nod, Jadhav flourished, becoming an ideal fit in the ODI side with his power-hitting down the order and those innocuous but fruitful off-spinners, breaking many crucial partnerships.
And for that, the 35-year-old said he owes a lot to former India skipper MS Dhoni.
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"Growing up Sachin (Tendulkar) was my idol like every aspiring cricketer. I regret I could not play with him. But when it comes to favourite cricketer, it has to be Dhoni," Jadhav said during his IPL franchise Chennai Super Kings’ Instagram Live chat.
"When I met Mahi bhai I thought he is India’s captain and he would be very strict. After meeting him, I don’t see any other image when it comes to favourite cricketer," added the man, who made his ODI debut in 2014 and has since scored 1,389 runs at a strike-rate of 101.61 and bowled 42 times in his 73 ODIs for India at an economy rate of 5.16.
"I could have played 8-10 ODIs but Mahi bhai supported me and he had a calming effect on me. When I see him I get confidence and if you get that from your captain, it helps a lot."
“Because of M.S. Dhoni I got to play however many matches I played and also because of Mahi bhai I got to meet Salman Khan. So I can’t pick between the two. It’s like asking to choose between Mum and Dad."
On his bowling; specifically that unique side-arm action, Jadhav said: "I tried it at the nets (before a game versus New Zealand in 2016). That time Anil (Kumble) bhai was the coach and he said no it’s legal. Then in the 1st ODI, I got Jimmy Neesham out (caught and bowled). That was my first wicket and then Mahi bhai gave me the confidence that I can bowl. I had not bowled much in domestic cricket also. But it was because of him that I got confidence."
Post the 2019 World Cup, however, Jadhav's form dipped and people started questioning his place in the side, considering his age and the fact that he most probably won't be in the mix for the next World Cup in 2023.
He was dropped for the series against South Africa in March, which was later postponed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
(Inputs from IANS)
