Will be fit to play in two-three weeks, says India’s Kedar Jadhav

India all-rounder Kedar Jadhav, who underwent a surgery after suffering a harmstring injury during the Indian Premier League on Friday announced that he will make his return to competitive cricket shortly.

Playing for Chennai Super Kings, Jadhav got injured in the opening game of this year’s IPL against Mumbai Indians on April 7, which ruled him out of the lucrative event. He later underwent a surgery in Melbourne.

“Rehab (rehabilitation) is good. Another two-three weeks maximum and I will be fit and start playing. I am allowed to bat now also, but because of rain, I am not able to. In two weeks I will start playing (sic),” Jadhav said. “I am recovering faster than expectations, so I am happy,” the 33-year-old Maharashtra cricketer said.

Jadhav revealed that he suffered an injury on the same muscle for the third time. “Yes it was a recurrent injury. [For] Almost the third time, the same muscle was injured. I got injured first in December against Sri Lanka in Dharamsala, then in South Africa in the third ODI, and again in IPL,” he said.

“So when it (the injury) happens again and again, you have to find a confirm solution. The physios and doctors in India then decided that surgery will give me better option to play for longer duration.”

Jadhav said he was disappointed that he missed the ongoing tour of England and the IPL. The 33-year-old admitted that it was difficult process to shake off the injury. “I will say it was a difficult three month period, but I feel I understood the importance of fitness,” added Jadhav. “Injuries are a part of the game and we can’t do anything. Overall I gained knowledge about my body,” he said.

Jadhav also said that he got the support of skipper Virat Kohli during this difficult phase.“Not only this period, but since the time I have joined the team, his (Kohli’s) support is there. I remember when I first got selected in the India team, he (Kohli) had gifted me a Blackberry phone. So Virat is always encouraging youngsters as a leader, and off the field, he is a loving and caring person,” he said.