Kedar Jadhav had kept himself in shape while commentating on the ongoing IPL before getting a surprise call from head coach Sanjay Bangar to play for Royal Challengers Bangalore for the remainder of the season.

The 38-year-old was bought by RCB as an injury replacement for England left-arm quick David Willey for the remainder of this IPL. Jadhav was acquired for Rs 1 crore.

He had scored plenty of runs in the last Ranji Trophy after missing out on the premier T20 event last year. The former India middle-order batter recalled his chat with Bangar which led to his unexpected inclusion in the RCB squad midway during the season.

“Absolutely surprised, but a pleasant one. I was doing commentary and Sanjaybhai called me asking what I was doing. I told him I was commentating.

“He inquired whether I was still practising and I replied in the affirmative — twice a week,” Jadhav said in a team statement.

“He then asked me about my fitness to which I said I was regular at the gym and even using it in my hotel. In short, I told him I was in good shape. He said he would call me back.

“It was that moment I realised that he would call me and tell me to play for RCB.”

Jadhav represented RCBpreviously in 2016 and 2017, playing 17 matches and scoring 311 runs at an average of23.92 and a strike rate of 142.66.“I took a break for a year but then, I realised I was missing my passion and when I returned to first-class cricket, I found it very easy.

“Honestly, it was because of the experience I have. It was the same hunger I had in my early 20s,” he said.

Written with PTI inputs