World Cup 2019: Kedar Jadhav does net practice but yet doubtful for South Africa clash

The injury to batting all-rounder Kedar Jadhav towards the end of the Indian Premier League (IPL) recently had put Team India management under worry. Jadhav is a key cog in the machine and is a handy cricketer down the order and with his off-breaks. He yet travelled with the team to England though didn’t play in either of the two warm-up games that India took part in, against New Zealand and Bangladesh.

The 34-year-old now has made a significant recovery from his shoulder injury and also actively participated in successive net sessions in the run-up to India’s opening game against South Africa in Southampton on Wednesday. The development augurs well for the team although Jadhav still remains a doubtful starter for the match, First Post cited reports.

Jadhav was found batting at the nets without any discomfort and also bowled, something he did not do during the IPL because of a hamstring injury as well. The team management is doing its best to see Jadhav match fit for the opening tie but only time will tell whether he could make it eventually. Jadhav hurt his shoulder while fielding against Kings XI Punjab in the final league game for the Super Kings on May 5 and hasn’t played thereafter. Jadhav has played 59 ODIs, scoring 1,174 runs and taking 27 wickets.

India meanwhile found a solution for ‘No.4 dilemma’

India, meanwhile, found relief as far as their dilemma over the No.4 batting position is concerned. KL Rahul though failed to impress in the match against New Zealand, he came up with a scintillating hundred in the second match against Bangladesh to settle the debate, at least for now. Vijay Shankar, the man who was picked by the selectors replacing Ambati Rayudu to man the No.4 position, failed to score much in the game against Bangladesh.

He too was dealing with an injury ahead of the tournament. India’s bowling, however, looked in good shape with the likes of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami and Bhuvneshwar Kumar doing well. The spin trio of Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja will also be among Kohli’s trump cards in this World Cup. South Africa have lost both their games so far and will be coming hard at India on Wednesday. The game promises to be an absorbing one.