India¡¯s middle-order batsman Kedar Jadhav, who was a doubtful starter for the upcoming World Cup in England, has been declared fit and is set to board the flight to London with the rest of the Indian team on the morning of May 22.
The 34-year-old, who suffered a shoulder injury during Chennai Super Kings¡¯ last league game in the IPL, recovered well under the watchful eye of Team India physio Patrick Farhart, who has submitted Jadhav¡¯s fitness report, which cleared him, to the BCCI.
The duo had checked into a five-star hotel in the city here last week, and, after a few training sessions, Jadhav passed a fitness test conducted by Farhart at the MCA¡¯s BKC facility on Thursday morning.
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Along with 1174 runs in 59 ODIs, at an average of 43.50, including two hundreds and five fifties under his belt, the experienced Jadhav enjoys a strike rate of 102.50, and thus is a crucial cog in India¡¯s wheel ¡ª providing the thrust to the second half of the Indian innings.
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With his awkward action, that has helped him pick 27 wickets at 34.70, Jadhav also provides a useful part-time spinner option to captain Virat Kohli.
With the World Cup just around the corner, Team India has found a unique way of preparing for the tournament. The players have been advised to take it easy.
¡°The players have been told that they can take a break from training after the IPL. They can rest, have fun with their close ones and come back in a good frame of mind,¡± a source close to the team management told TOI.
While Rohit Sharma has made his family vacation in Maldives public on social media, it has been learnt that Yuzvendra Chahal is relaxing in Goa.
¡°The support staff of the Indian team initiated this move. There were talks of having a short camp before the team leaves. But it will be very unfair on the players to get into the grind immediately after a gruelling tournament like the IPL. So, it was decided that the players rather go on a break, ideally a short vacation, so that they feel good about themselves. We can¡¯t risk any burnout,¡± the source said.
¡°Holding a fitness test after 10 days of IPL doesn¡¯t make sense. It is basically an endurance test. You have to be fresh to take the test. That¡¯s why it generally happens at the start of a season or a long break. IPL takes a lot out of your body with the frequent travel and games in such hot conditions,¡± the source added.
The tournament? begins on May 30 and India's first game is against South Africa on June 5.