Royal Challengers Bangalore surprised everyone earlier this month by bringing in India all-rounder Kedar Jadhav to replace David Willey, who was out for a month with an injury. Jadhav, a spin-bowling all-rounder then 38 years old, had previously represented the RCB in the 2016 and 2017 seasons of the competition but had missed the 2022 season.
While Jadhav didn’t participate in the league last season, he kept in shape for an IPL comeback by playing regularly for the Maharashtra team at the domestic level. Jadhav got a call from the RCB, and he expressed amazement on par with that of the fans.
Kedar Jadhav reveals how RCB roped him in for IPL 2023
“Absolutely surprised, but a pleasant one. I am very excited and want to thank the support staff for giving me this opportunity to join the team and make sure I give my 110 per cent,” Jadhav told RCB.
Midway into the 2023 campaign, Jadhav said that franchise head coach Sanjay Bangar had called him. “I was doing commentary and Sanjay Bhai 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, I replied. Bangar 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 asked a time and said he’ll call me back. It was that moment I realized that he would call me and tell me to play for RCB,” Jadhav said.
Jadhav replaces a bowling all-rounder who has been in just four of RCB’s games this year, but he may end up playing a crucial role for the team’s young, underperforming middle order.
While he lacks IPL bowling experience, he has experience as both a wicketkeeper and an off-spin bowler at the international level and as a wicketkeeper in the IPL.
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