'Absolutely Surprised To Be Called Up By RCB,' Says Kedar Jadhav
Jadhav was signed up by RCB on Monday (Twitter)
Royal Challengers Bangalore's David Willey suffered an injury to his toe halfway through the IPL 2023 season, and was subsequently ruled out of the remainder of the season. The franchise roped in Kedar Jadhav in place of Willey.
Jadhav previously played 17 for RCB in 2016 and 2017, from which he scored 311 runs at an average of 23.92 and a strike rate of 142.66. Jadhav went unsold at the auction for IPL 2023 and subsequently worked as a commentator for the season.
"I was doing commentary and Sanjay (Bangar) 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," said Kedar Jadhav, according to SportsStar.
The 38-year-old further spoke about his conversation with RCB's head coach, who cryptically offered him an IPL contact on a phone call.
"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," he added.
The batter took a break from professional cricket for a year before returning for Ranji Trophy 2022-23, in which he delivered good performances. He scored a double century against Assam and a century against Mumbai.
With Bangalore's middle and lower-middle order not coming to the party thus far this season, including Jadhav could be a perfect wedding with the franchise in their chase for the maiden IPL trophy.
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