Chennai: Chennai Super Kings allrounder Kedar Jadhav has been ruled out of IPL 2018 because of a grade-2 hamstring tear he sustained during the team’s tournament opener against Mumbai Indians at Wankhede Stadium on Saturday.
Jadhav batted at No. 4 in Super Kings’ chase but retired hurt as soon as he felt some discomfort, only to return at the fall of the ninth wicket when they needed seven to win from the last over. He then struck a six and a four against Mustafizur Rahman to clinch a thrilling one-wicket win.
“Him being ruled out is a big loss for us. He was a very key player for us in the middle order,” Michael Hussey, Super Kings’ batting coach, said ahead of Tuesday’s clash against Kolkata Knight Riders at MA Chidambaram Stadium.
Jadhav was among Super Kings’ most expensive picks at INR 7.8 crores (USD 1.2 millio approx.) at the auction in January. His injury could mean a return to the middle order for Ambati Rayudu, who opened in the first game, with M Vijay in consideration for the opening slot. Delhi’s Dhruv Shorey and Kshitiz Sharma are the other uncapped Indian batsmen in the squad.
Meanwhile, Faf du Plessis is nursing an injured finger and is unlikely to feature in Tuesday’s game too. His finger injury was aggravated when he took a few blows while batting in the Test series against Australia. He is also recovering from a side strain and could be ready for the third game on Sunday against Kings XI Punjab in Mohali.
