Will Pune Warriors India give Pune's lad a chance?

His Ranji 2012 batting average is 59.25 and has been consistently performing well in the domestic cricket circuit. Meet the 33-year-old left-handed attacking opening batsman Dheeraj Jadhav who also made it to the Indian Test Cricket team against Australia in 2004-05.

However, he is yet to play for his ‘home’ team Pune Warriors India in the Indian Premier League (IPL) for the past two years. Despite being the only player from Pune to represent the IPL side, he is yet to be included in the selected eleven.

Hailing from Baramati, Dheeraj stays with his parents and wife in Kothrud.

Milind Gunjal, who has been coaching Dheeraj since childhood, said, “Dheeraj is a consistent ODI and Test player. He has improvised his game and is playing attacking cricket. I hope that he will play this IPL season.”

His shift from playing in the middle-order to opening the innings and stroke-playing style produced immediate results. He was part of the Indian Test squad in 2004-2005.

Currently playing for Assam, Dheeraj has also represented Mumbai Champs in the Indian Cricket League (ICL) and Maharashtra in domestic cricket.

Speaking to DNA, Dheeraj said, “If I get an opportunity this season, I will do my best to meet the expectations of Puneties.” Regarding his preparation for IPL season, he said, “I am happy with my performance in domestic cricket.”

Dheeraj made 253 runs with a decent batting average of 42 in 15 matches. Moreover, he piled up 785 runs, including a sparkling double century (243) against Tripura in Ranji trophy match.

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