World Cup 2019: Kedar Jadhav’s participation in doubt, Axar Patel possible replacement

An integral member of India’s possible playing XI in the ICC World Cup 2019, Kedar Jadhav suffered an injury in the recently-concluded Indian Premier League and is yet to recover. Jadhav, a part of the Chennai Super Kings team injured his left shoulder in an attempt to stop a boundary in the match against Kings XI Punjab in Mohali on May 5.

22nd May is the last date for all the teams to put a stamp on their 15-member squad for the quadrennial event, so in case Jadhav does not recover by then, the management will have to announce a replacement. As per the latest report the all-rounder is being monitored on a daily basis by Team India’s physio Patrick Farhart.

“The BCCI national selectors have been kept apprised of Jadhav’s recovery process on a day-to-day basis. They are keeping a very close eye on his fitness in conjunction with physio Farhart. It’s too early to say whether Jadhav will be fit enough to take part in the tournament but call on that will be taken next week, probably as late as the departure date of the Indian team which is May 22,” a BCCI was quoted as saying by CricketNext on Wednesday.

Axar Patel or Ambati Rayudu?

The national selectors met on Tuesday to pick the India ‘A’ squads against Sri Lanka and West Indies and Jadhav’s availability was possibly discussed there. Through the source report, it has also been revealed that Axar Patel or Ambati Rayudu will be the likely replacement if there arises a need for one.

“The selectors had nominated five standbys to cover all bases. Since Jadhav is a specialist batsman, the selectors are looking at replacing him with either Ambati Rayudu or Axar Patel, who like Jadhav can chip in with a few overs as well. The other three standbys are Rishabh Pant, Ishant Sharma and Navdeep Saini,” the source added.

As for Kedar, the Maharashtra captain has often been bogged down by injuries. In the opening game of IPL 2018, he suffered an injury which kept him out of the remainder of the tournament and also the subsequent national tour of Ireland and England. As a pinch-hitter and slow bowler, Jadhav is crucial to India’s World Cup campaign.

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