Kedar Jadhav continued his knack of picking up crucial wickets in the middle overs in the much-anticipated clash against Pakistan on Wednesday. Coming back after an injury, the 33-year-old made a compelling contribution of three wickets with his deceptive side-arm action.
When Jadhav was asked about the secret behind his success, he revealed that it was MS Dhoni who handed him the ball in an ODI against New Zealand back in 2016. Since then, he has been the trump card of the Indian side.
“Ever since Dhoni Bhai asked me to bowl in that New Zealand match, my life has completely changed,” he said.
Jadhav, on speaking about the secret behind his effective bowling, he stated that he doesn’t practice 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,” said Jadhav, who has featured in 42 ODIs.
Asked to pinpoint a reason for his wicket-taking ability, he said,
“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.”
He feels a tweak in his fitness regimen after a surgery in April has also helped him become a better cricketer. He said, “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.”
India will now face the arch-rivals Pakistan on Sunday in the Super four round. Before that, they are scheduled to play Bangladesh on Friday.