IPL: I feel stronger and fitter, says Kedar Jadhav

BENGALURU: Kedar Jadhav does not have a copybook style of batting. His shot selection is unorthodox and that to him is his style.
During his game-changing 37-ball 69 against the Delhi Daredevils at the M Chinnaswamy stadium on Saturday night, he pulled off strokes, including a helicopter shot, which were far removed from convention.
Delhi leggie Amit Mishra won't forget the 32-year-old for the belting he received in the 13thover in a hurry.Jadhav clobbered him all around the park, rifling 24 runs in just that one over. And while he chose to slog-sweep Mishra as he piled on the runs, he played Carlos Braithwaite's short-deliveries inside-out. One of his five sixes even injured a young fan in the ribs.
"Ever since I began playing first-class cricket, I have been trying all the shots," Jadhav said of his shot making. "You have to try and to get to the excellent part. I never wanted to be a player who just gets into the side. I have always wanted to be the player who will lead the side in matches with performances. This is how I train my mind and prepare."
Looking fitter and stronger from the previous season, the Maharashtra wicketkeeper batsman, explained, "I guess that (being dropped) helped me. Last year I didn't play too many games. That gave me time to work on my fitness and fielding because batting was always there, but these two things were not up to the mark as a professional cricketer."
Elaborating on his fitness journey Jadhav said, "I got enough time to train with Shankar Basu (trainer) and yeah it has definitely transformed my game. I feel much stronger, fitter so that has definitely helped me. I lost 7kgs so the thing is I'm able to move faster. So I guess that part has worked for me."
From being a finisher to batting up the order, Jadhav, who was once a part of the RCB development squad said, he was up for any challenge. "I get to face more balls when I bat higher up. I am in a phase where I am hitting the ball well. The experience is also there. I have been playing first-class cricket for the past 10 years. It is the management's decision for me to bat higher, and I make the most of it with performances like these."
The pint-sized big-hitter was all praise for Shane Watson's leadership after the home team bowlers defended a modest 157.
"When we went out to field Watto said, 'bring your best attitude on the field and be smart. We have scored 15-20 runs short so we have to make up for it with our bowling and fielding. He rotated the bowlers well. Considering the last game wasn't that good for him as a bowler, he came back very strongly to lead from the front. If we can defend a total like this, I feel big things are ahead," added Jadhav.