In a major boost to Team India ahead of the all-important World Cup, their middle-order batsman Kedar Jadhav has been declared fully fit. Jadhav was doubtful for the initial stage of the competition after he had sustained a shoulder injury while fielding during an IPL match between Chennai Super Kings and Kings XI Punjab on May 5 in Mohali.
Jadhav is an integral part of India’s ODI team. He contributes not only with the bat but also with the ball. Time and again, skipper Virat Kohli has relied on Jadhav for breakthroughs and the latter has rarely disappointed. Unsurprisingly, there were apprehensions all around when Jadhav injured his shoulder and missed the playoffs.
There were reports suggesting that even if Jadhav recovers, he would miss the first game of the World Cup and the two warm-up games. However, India’s chief selector MSK Prasad has assured that the star is fit and raring to go at the World Cup.
“We have got the medical certificate declaring Jadhav is fit to play in the World Cup. He will travel to the UK with the rest of the squad on Wednesday,” Prasad informed CricketNext.
“We received the fitness certificate from Farhart on Monday and we are satisfied with the report. Jadhav should be available for India’s first game against South Africa,” Prasad added.
The BCCI had called physio Patrick Farhart from Australia to work with Jadhav. Both Farhart and Jadhav then worked together in Mumbai and it has paid off. Meanwhile, the teams are allowed to change their teams till May 23 without taking any permission from the ICC. India have also named five standbys for the World Cup.
In case Jadhav had failed to recover, India would have anyone from Ambati Rayudu, Rishabh Pant, Ishant Sharma, Navneet Saini and Axar Patel. India will start their World Cup campaign against South Africa on June 5. They will play warm-up matches on May 25 and 28 against New Zealand and Bangladesh respectively.