Jadhav on what made him shift gears after crossing 50 during his match-winning 81* v Australia
Kedar Jadhav en route his 87-ball 81 against Australia on Saturday. Pic/PTI
His innovative range of shots allowed him to take more risks in a tricky chase while Mahendra Singh Dhoni's mere presence at the other end kept the pressure on Australia during the first ODI, feels Kedar Jadhav.
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Kedar's unbeaten 81 off 87 balls saw India beat Australia by six wickets with Mahendra Singh Dhoni remaining not out on 59 at the other end. After reaching 50, Kedar suddenly changed gears while Dhoni was found suffering from cramps.
Comfortable at No. 4
Asked if Dhoni's discomfort made him play more attacking shots, Kedar said: “Not really. Out of both of us, one had to take the risk. I have batted throughout my career at No. 4, so I am more open to playing all the shots.
“Growing up, I've always built my batting on playing innovative shots. I feel I have a good chance of converting those innovative shots,” Kedar told reporters at the post-match press conference.
The Maharashtra player feels that Dhoni's game is more about playing straight and it creates pressure. “Mahi's natural game is hitting down the ground. As long as he's there, the other teams always feel the pressure. Whatever little bit of cramp he was having, I just told him 'you stay at the wicket, gives me a lot of confidence'. I could play my natural game after 50 because he was at the other end.”
Like a fan boy, Kedar then spoke glowingly about the Dhoni effect on any junior player. “Credit to MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli for what they have achieved in their career. If we can achieve 10 or 15 per cent of what they achieved, it will be great.”
Dhoni-Jadhav partnership
Kedar and Dhoni were in a similar situation in Melbourne during the final game of the series and also had a partnership that sealed it for them. Asked about the degree of difficulty, he said: “I guess both the games were difficult in their own terms.
In Australia, that was my first game on Australian soil. It was difficult to adjust to bounce and get into the groove. If I have a MS or Virat at the other end, they will be telling you things like taking the game deep.”
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