Kedar Jadhav is happy that there is a “healthy competition” in the Indian team for the all-rounder’s slot which is up for grabs going into the 2019 World Cup in England.
With Hardik Pandya back in the mix after the CoA lifted his suspension, the Baroda all-rounder will be competing with Tamil Nadu’s Vijay Shankar. Jadhav, is also very much in contention for a permanent place in the playing XI during the World Cup.
“It is a good thing for any team that more guys are competing for one spot. So every time any guy gets an opportunity, he will know that he needs to perform,” said Jadhav, who scored 22 off 10 balls and also took a wicket in India’s 90-run win in the second ODI against New Zealand.
Jadhav said that everyone is trying to put their best foot forward and grab that spot in the squad.
Jadhav said M.S. Dhoni shoulders bulk of the responsibility when it comes to scoring runs during the middle and final overs.
“It helps when Mahi bhai is there till the last ball. All his experience and the power in his game and it helps players like us to just work around him and he takes most of the strike and scores most of the runs.”
Jadhav said that 324 was a par-score on this track after the openers provided a good start.
“We wanted to bat first and it started well. With the kind of top-order batting we have, 90% of the time we will get a good start,” Jadhav said.
He was all praise for Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma, who had another hundred-plus opening partnership.
Wrist spinners Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal have now accounted for 12 out of the 20 New Zealand wickets after the first two games.
