Jadhav was better than Kohli, says Sourav Ganguly

Virat Kohli and Kedar Jadhav hit centuries to help India take a 1-0 lead in the ODI series against England after the home side had found themselves at 63/4 chasing a colossal score of 351. Kohli was the top scorer with 122 runs, but it was Kedar Jadhav who picked up the man of the match award for his 120 off just 76 balls.

"I thought he played better than Virat Kohli. We always keep talking about Virat Kohli but as I said he played a better knock He came in under pressure at 63/4. It is different coming in at 31/1 and 63/4. So you got to give credit to Jadhav. He was exceptional," Ganguly said in an interview with India today.

"It could be a game-changing moment in his career and this is how careers are made."

While Jadhav mostly dealt in boundaries, his physical endurance was tested by the Indian captain who kept pushing the 31-year-old for doubles throughout the innings. Even though a spectator would have had the impression that Jadhav was struggling to keep up with his captain, he never turned down the opportunity to convert a single into a double.

Two years ago, Jadhav was selected as a part of the India A team that traveled to Australia. He played with a fractured hand in the tournament and by his own admission, it gave him the belief to push himself to the limit.

"I realised that if I could perform well in Australia for India despite carrying a fracture, I can bear any pain. If I have to overcome odds, I know I can do anything. That's how I always think, and since I keep achieving it most of the times, my belief in my abilities continues to grow," Jadhav said.

The second ODI is scheduled on Jan 19 at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack.