What a blow it could be for Team India in the upcoming 2019 World Cup if Kedar Jadhav fails to recover from the shoulder injury which he sustained during the final group match for Chennai Super Kings against the Kings XI Punjab. The preparations for India has certainly taken a blow as Kedar Jadhav could have been an X factor for India in the 2019 World Cup. If he remains fit, Kedar Jadhav could be the much-needed option for Virat Kohli. However, if he is not fit there is a possibility of Rishabh Pant getting a chance in the squad.
Not only with his batting skills but Kedar Jadhav has been a wicket-taker for India and Kohli has gone to him time and again to get breakthroughs. Kedar Jadhav has been an injury prone cricketer ever since he started playing for India. He has missed several matches despite being in the Indian squad for a long time.
“Kedar Jadhav’s getting an X-ray and a scan tomorrow,” CSK skipper Stephen Fleming said after the match against Kings XI.“We’re hopeful for him. I don’t think we’ll see him again in this tournament for us. So now his attention will turn to what it looks like for the World Cup. He’s in some discomfort but we just need to be accurate with our assessments tomorrow. Fingers crossed that it’s nothing too serious but it didn’t look that good,” he added.
Kedar Jadhav sustained the injury while fielding a delivery of Ravindra Jadeja during the 14th over of the 2nd innings. He attempted to stop an overthrow from Ravindra Jadeja and managed to stop the ball. However, in an attempt to stop the ball, he immediately clutched his arm and looked in utter discomfort. Kedar Jadhav left the field and it was Murali Vijay who fielded as a substitute for Jadhav.
If Kedar Jadhav fails to recover in time for the showpiece event there is a huge possibility that Team India might go with Rishabh Pant who is in great form in the ongoing IPL. The Indian team management has named the standbys for the tournament and Rishabh Pant is in the standby list. Ambati Rayudu is also there in the list but he is not in good touch and might nt get a look in.
Rishabh Pant has been in good form this season. However, he has been nowhere close to how he performed last year. The southpaw has scored 401 runs in 14 matches in the tournament so far. Moreover, Pant has the experience of playing in England when he was part of the Indian Test squad when they toured England last year. There is a big possibility that Rishabh Pant might get the nod if Kedar Jadhav fails to recover in time.