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 his suspension was lifted on Thursday, the Baroda all-rounder will be competing with Tamil Nadu’s Vijay Shankar.
Jadhav, who is a spinning-all-rounder also very much remains in contention for a playing XI slot for 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 in Mount Maunaganui on Saturday.
Jadhav, who also played a significant role in the ODI series decider against Australia in Melbourne, said that everyone is trying to put their best foot forward.
“It’s not about what I think about my selection. Whether I accept it or not, it’s not in my hands,” said the 33-year-old.
“It is the selectors call and the best XV will go. Everybody is trying to put their best foot forward and when you play for India, there is bound to be competition and you have to be at the top of your game.”
Jadhav said Mahendra Singh Dhoni shoulders bulk of the responsibility when it comes to scoring runs during the middle and final overs. On Saturday, Dhoni made 48 not out off 33 balls.
Jadhav and Dhoni added 53 runs in the last 4.2 overs for the unbroken fifth wicket.
“It helps especially when Mahi bhai is there till the last ball. All his experience and the power in his game, it helps players like us to just work around him and he takes most of the strike and scores most of the runs.”
He was all praise for Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma, who had yet another hundred-plus opening partnership.
“Shikhar and Rohit have shown class and consistency in the last few years. We had a good (opening) partnership of 150 odd and had enough experience to take the score past 300.”
Wrist spinners Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal have now accounted for 12 out of the 20 New Zealand wickets after the completion of first two games.
On Saturday, Kuldeep (4/45 in 10 overs) and Chahal (2/52 in 9.2 overs) shared bulk of the spoils with New Zealand batsmen still struggling to read or attack them.
“Kuldeep and Chahal are our key assets in the middle overs and as a team, we back them totally. Most of the teams find it difficult to score against them and eventually if we put runs on the board, then teams have to take risk against them and that works for us,” said Jadhav.
Jadhav said that 324 was a par-score on this track after openers Rohit Sharma (87 off 96 balls) and Shikhar Dhawan (66 off 67 balls) provided a 154-run partnership.
“We wanted to bat first and it started off well. The kind of top-order batting we have, there will be 90 per cent times when we will get a good start,” Jadhav opined.
“So for most of us, batting at No. 5 or 6, we don’t get to bat, because our top batsmen are too strong and they have been doing bulk of scoring in the last 4-5 years. So it’s good that we batted first.”
