I was prepared for the challenge in Zimbabwe: Kedar Jadhav

Kedar Jadhav

Harare: India batsman Kedhar Jadhav finally delivered with a maiden ODI hundred in the concluding game of the series against Zimbabwe and the 30-year-old is glad that he managed to make something of a "great opportunity" given to him by the national selectors.

Jadhav, who was recalled to the Indian team after eight months, scored a timely 105 off 87 balls after making five and 16 in the earlier two ODIs.

Kedar Jadhav. Pic/ AFP

"It was a great opportunity (coming to Zimbabwe) and that's what I took it as," said Jadhav.

"I knew it would be challenging here, so I was prepared for that and I always knew it wouldn't be easy to score in every game. I told myself that whenever I get going, I will stay until the end and make sure that my team wins. I am happy that I got in (in third ODI), settled and then carried through to the end," said the Maharashtra batsman.

Jadhav made his ODI debut in 2014 after years of grind on the domestic circuit, scoring 20 in his memorable match. He had to wait for another eight months to get another chance which came here at the Harare Sports Club. He joined Manish Pandey at the crease when India were 82 for four and the duo went on to share a 144-run stand.

Asked about his experience of playing in Zimbabwe and facing the home team's attack, Jadhav said: "I feel on these pitches they (bowlers) are pretty effective but in some other parts of the world they have to work on some areas. I feel especially the death bowling is where they need to improve." .

He further said a 3-0 scoreline in favour of India was unexpected and credited the batsmen for their effort. "We never felt that it will be a 3-0 scoreline. We always knew that they would be tough to beat on their home soil. It was challenging, especially batting first in all three games, but our batters did an excellent job to put up a 250-plus score in every game. That's where I feel we won the games," he added.