Kedar Jadhav, who returned 3-23 in India’s eight-wicket victory over Pakistan on Wednesday, September 19, believes sticking to the processes, and his limits, is the reason for his success with the ball.
The 33-year-old part-time spinner with a unique side-arm action returned his best ODI figures against Sarfraz Ahmed and his men at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, helping India by breaking through at crucial junctures of the game. His victims were Ahmed, Asif Ali and Shadab Khan.
“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 said afterwards.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Kedar Jadhav star with the ball as Pakistan can only muster 162 batting first in Dubai. A special performance needed from their bowlers – India need 163 to take the bragging rights!#INDvPAK LIVE ➡️ https://t.co/hTP8b9pgdQ#AsiaCup2018 pic.twitter.com/aEfDzD9Cwa
— ICC (@ICC) September 19, 2018
Jadhav, who was out for a long while after a grade-2 hamstring pull during the IPL, feels the injury and the subsequent recovery period helped him grow as a 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,” he said.
“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.”
Comprehensive – How was that for a performance. #TeamIndia clinch the 2nd ODI against Pakistan by 8 wickets 🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳 #AsiaCup #INDvPAK pic.twitter.com/3n2BqCKbuq
— BCCI (@BCCI) September 19, 2018
Jadhav’s nine-over spell put India in the driver’s seat against Pakistan, and it was especially important for him to do well after Hardik Pandya had to be stretchered off because of a back injury.
“On a wicket like that, you need to strike really early if you’re going to defend it. We didn’t strike early enough. But, saying that, we went away from our plans too quickly. We said that our batters batted outside our roles and that wasn’t acceptable,” acknowledged Arthur.
“With our bowling, we went outside our plans far too quickly. We wanted to bowl hard lengths, hit the top of off stump. It was tough to score then. There was a bit of panic when they didn’t strike early. We panicked and went away from our plans.”
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