3 Reasons Why Kedar Jadhav Must Get a Place in The RCB Playing XI for The Second Half of IPL 2023

Royal Challengers Bangalore have named Kedar Jadhav as the replacement of injured David Willey for the remainder of IPL 2023. Kedar Jadhav remained unsold in the IPL 2023 auctions and has finally got a chance to prove his mettle.

The Maharashtra-based batter has got enough success with the bat for his former franchise Chennai Super Kings. He was also a part of the RCB squad earlier for a couple of seasons in which he performed decently. He has also represented Kochi Tuskers Kerala and Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Here are the 3 Reasons why Kedar Jadhav must get a place in the RCB playing XI for the second half of IPL 2023

1. RCB’s fragile middle order

Royal Challengers Bangalore’s middle order has scored just 404 runs in eight games despite playing most of their games on a high-scoring wicket in Bangalore. Both experienced and young players in the middle order have failed to deliver in IPL 2023.

While Virat, Faf, and Maxwell have played some brilliant knocks, Dinesh Karthik and Mahipal Lomror haven’t scored enough runs in the middle order. Kedar Jadhav can be a great addition considering the form of RCB’s middle-order batters.

He is an excellent player of spin and can play sweeps and reverse sweeps to mess around with the field. This can actually help the top-3 RCB batters to play with much more freedom and flexibility.

2. Experience playing in the IPL

Kedar Jadhav has already played for 4 different franchises and has got decent success in the cash-rich league. He has till now scored 1196 runs in 93 IPL matches at a strike rate of 123.17.

RCB is a top-heavy side and needs an experienced batter in the middle order. Jadhav has got tons of experience in the domestic circuit as well for his state side Maharashtra. He knows how to perform well on Indian spin-friendly wickets.

Dinesh Karthik is currently struggling with his form and Jadhav could well take up the keeper’s job if need be as he has experience keeping for RCB in previous editions of the cash-rich league.

3. He’s a utility cricketer

Kedar Jadhav is someone who can play all the copybook shots. He can also play a few unconventional shots specifically in the intense situations of the game. He has won several white-ball games, both for Maharashtra as well as for the IPL franchises with his bat.

During his stint with the Indian team, he bowled some brilliant spells with his off-spin bowling. He has got a slinky bowling action and has troubled most of his opponents with his unconventional bowling. Jadhav has also got a knack for breaking crucial partnerships.

Kedar Jadhav has also played the role of a wicketkeeper for Royal Challengers Bangalore while he was earlier a part of their squad. At the same time, he’s someone who has got a calm head and great temperament which is a must to have during the intense situations in the cash-rich league specifically in the latter half of the season.