Interview with Kedar Jadhav: "Newly-born daughter brought good luck for me"

Kedar Jadhav has been picked for the Zimbabwean tour

Kedar Jadhav recently became a father (blessed with a baby daughter) and now it is double elation for the 30-year-old middle-order batsman, who won a recall to the national side for the upcoming Zimbabwe tour. The Pune lad is known for his dashing strokeplay – some of it was evident during the 2015 IPL, where he turned out for the Delhi Daredevils. The right-handed stroke maker, who also keeps wickets from time to time, spoke in an exclusive interview with Sportskeeda.

Excerpts:

Q You recently became a father – blessed with a baby daughter. Do you think her arrival has brought a lot of good luck with you earning a recall to the national team for the upcoming Zimbabwe tour?

I feel my newly-born daughter has brought a lot of good luck and I got picked in the Indian team for the upcoming Zimbabwe tour. I hope to make the most of this opportunity.

You made your one-day international debut against Sri Lanka at Ranchi in November 2014. What memories you have of that cameo knock of 20?

I went in and Virat Kohli at the non-striker’s end told me to knock the ball around for ones and twos and not go for boundaries. I think I did not listen to him and got out while trying to go after the bowling. Virat supported me a lot during that time and there was plenty to learn being in the Indian dressing room.

You will be playing under a new captain – Ajinkya Rahane – who was dropped for the last two ODIs against Bangladesh.

Ajinkya is a class act with the bat. He is a dear friend of mine – I have played with him for seven-eight years now with the West Zone team. Really looking forward to playing under him.

Do you feel that a strong performance on the Zimbabwe tour will help to cement your spot in the side?

Absolutely! I’m working hard and hope to fare well in Zimbabwe.

Do you feel that the Zimbabwe tour will be an opportunity for you to make a statement and probably push for a Test spot?

Well, I don’t want to look that far and only focusing on the Zimbabwe tour. Hopefully, I will let my bat do the talking.

The Indian team does not have a full-fledged wicketkeeper although it has the likes of Robin Uthappa and Ambati Rayudu to do the job. Even you keep wickets from time to time.

I think Robin and Ambati can do the job for us behind the wickets. I do keep wickets but have not kept wickets in a fifty over match. I don’t think my keeping services will be needed though I’m game for it.

Unlike most cricketers you are not employed anywhere – how does that work for you?

Well, I play in the IPL and for Maharastra in the Ranji Trophy among other domestic tournaments. There is good money for cricketers and such a schedule helps me to recharge my batteries from time to time and that way I can avoid too much cricket taking a toll on my performance and fitness.

Are you anticipating a facile win over the Zimbabweans?

There won’t be any complacency on our part for sure. I know Zimbabwe are playing at home and are always tough to beat in their own backyard.