India middle-order batsman Kedar Jadhav credited M.S. Dhoni and skipper Virat Kohli for backing him and said that he is ready to play the role of a finisher.
India was in a spot of bother in chase of 237 against Australia in the first ODI in Hyderabad but Dhoni and Kedar forged an unbeaten 141-run stand with the latter scoring a brilliant unbeaten knock of 81.
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Jadhav had a torrid last year as he kept getting injured and missed games due to a troubled hamstring. But, back again in the fold, the middle-order batsman played a match-winning knock.
"It's good to play consistently for India and it's every cricketer's dream. I am enjoying my time with the team and every time I got injured the management gave me the confidence and I walked into the team. The kind of confidence they have given and I have been delivering consistently and I am thankful to the team management and skipper," he said.
Talking about his role as a finisher, he said, "It's been almost two years since I have been batting at this number and I still remember in 2017 against England in India I got man of the series and I batted at No.6. The management was looking at me as a finisher and the team is clear about everybody's role. Every time I bat with MS Dhoni, I spend time with him, I learn a lot. He gives me a lot of confidence and he has an aura around him. He gets the best out of every player and that is what everybody loves about him."
When asked how it feels to bat alongside Dhoni in tough situations and playing under Kohli, Jadhav said: "Both of them are world class players and we are lucky to have them and they have done everything for India. You are learning from them every day and you see how they prepare, mentally to face challenging situations and this is the best example. If every member in this team is doing well, then credit goes to MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli. They have taken all the youngsters under their wings and made sure they deliver."
Half-chances rued
Meanwhile, Australia fast bowler Nathan Coulter-Nile said that his team was 30 runs short with the bat and rued the half-chances that went begging. Australia was restricted to 236 for the loss of seven wickets and India chased down the target with six wickets in hand.
"I thought we bowled pretty well and batted pretty well; it was a tough wicket. It would've been nice having a set batsman going into the last 10 overs, but all in all just down a little bit in all areas," he said.
"Just a couple of things didn't go our way, MS Dhoni chipping the ball in front of the fielders a few times and then there was a lot of class at the back end for him to get them home. That was a hell of an innings from both of them, it was a great partnership.
"Obviously, they're 1-0 up in this series so they've got the upper hand but I think it was a closely-fought game. We played well, they played better in the end but the two teams were close and the next four games will be even tighter I think," he added.
Shami praised
After Australia opted to bat first, Mohammed Shami bowled a brilliant spell and took two crucial wickets. Heaping praise on the India bowler, he said, "Shami is an excellent bowler. He's a fantastic bowler. He's quality everywhere. At the back end, he was really hard to get away, changed up well, nailed all his yorkers, didn't give me anything to hit. We know he's a quality bowler, just like the rest of the Indian line-up."
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