Jadhav dejected with treatment

It happens only in India where a cricketer, who will soon be donning the national colours, is not being provided with a proper training facility in his own backyard and has to pay from his own pocket to get one.

The disappointment in Kedar Jadhav’s voice was palpable even as he got the news of his maiden call-up to the national team for the tour of Bangladesh next month.

“I have represented Deccan Gymkhana Club in Pune for the past 14 years. Yet, they have refused to prepare a pitch so that I can have proper net sessions ahead of Bangladesh tour. Today, I have got India call-up, played for the ‘A’ team and IPL starting from this club. But I guess they are not happy with my progress,” a dejected Jadhav said.

Asked how was he planning to train for the next two weeks before embarking on tour of Bangladesh, Kedar’s reply was even more surprising. “I am paying monthly fees of Rs. 18,000 to play at an Academy. I don’t know how may cricketers who get selected for India get this treatment in their own state.”