His innovative shot-making may have left you gasping on Sunday night as Team India chased down England's first innings score of 350 with 11 balls to spare. Yet there's nothing complicated about Kedar Jhadav, India's newly discovered number six hitter. A simple, quiet batsman hailing from a middle class family in Pune, he comes across as grounded and hard working with a proletarian approach to cricket. While his cricket may be positive and aggressive, the man can hardly be described as flamboyant.
Jadhav, who made his One Day debut against Sri Lanka two years ago, has been one of the most productive batsmen in the domestic circuit for over eight years now. His much awaited India call-up came after he became the highest run scorer in Ranji trophy season 2013-14, where he scored 1223 runs for Maharashtra which included six centuries. His rollicking 120 off 76 balls, in the company of chase-master cum skipper Virat Kohli, showcased his talent in abundance.
It also ended the search for a steady, solid, fearless number six batsman that the Indian team management was keenly searching for. It is a happy situation, not just for the 'men in blue', but also for Jadhav who had a disappointing ODI series against visiting New Zealand team in October.
As the Indian team stayed on in Pune and practised ahead of its ODI in Cuttack on Thursday, Jadhav revealed great many details in a media interaction — how tennis ball cricket in his childhood laid the foundation for an attacking game, how he has a mature head on his shoulders and how life hasn't really changed for him since his second ODI hundred on Sunday. Excerpts:
You played some amazing innovative shots on Sunday. Where did you get to learn those?
I have played a lot of tennis ball cricket in my childhood. There used to be a tournament where all you had to do was hit fours and sixes. Because it was with a tennis ball, we could hit super hard. On Sunday, when i was playing, there was not much bounce in the wicket. I felt like we could hit a boundary off it. We had a high run rate of over seven per over and we needed to hit at least one four per over. I took that option and it clicked.
Did you face any pressure while batting with Virat Kohli?
Batting alongside Virat always helps you. The focus of the bowlers is on how to get him (Virat) out. You are bound to get some loose balls that obviously helps.
On his approach when he walked in to bat.
We were 63/4 when I walked in. It was a good wicket to bat on. There were gaps in front to hit boundaries. I always look to take on the bowler —that is my natural game. I was playing with this mindset. The fact is that when we were chasing a target of over 350 runs, we had to bat in an up-tempo mode in any case.
Will this innings give you more chances to play for Team India and seal your place in the side?
I always play every game like it is my last. Whenever you represent your country, you have to give your 100%. I try to do the same too.
Was there pressure of cementing your place in the team? Was playing on the home turf an advantage?
When you play for your country, the pressure is always there in every game. But I take every pressure and hurdle as an opportunity to succeed and get closer to my aim. The day before yesterday was just another day when I was given a challenge and I showed positive intent. I am just happy that I enjoyed my batting in front of the home crowd and my family. I took the opportunity with both hands.
Where and how did you develop this self confidence?
I have always had this attitude. I focus on whatever I do, prepare well for it, work hard and make your team win. When you do this, everything falls into place. This was another day where everything went right. I worked hard between the New Zealand series and the England series. I am happy to have succeeded.
How much has life changed after your knock on Sunday?
That I don't know about. But I am receiving a lot of phone calls. I don't like to dwell too much on the past. I like to live in the present .
Was there any particular incident that helped in cultivating this self-confidence and belief in your ability while you tried to realise your dream of becoming a Team India player?
There are many experiences which helped reaffirm my self-belief. Two years back, I toured Australia as a part of India A team. My hand was paining. I did not know I had a fracture. I played, scored runs and returned. But the pain persisted. Twenty days later, I got a scan done and realised that it was a fracture. Then I realised if I was playing well for India A with a fractured hand in Australia, I could bear any pain and do well if i wanted to.