Kedar Jadhav has credited a refined fitness regimen for his impressive performance against Pakistan in the Asia Cup, saying it had made him “a different cricketer”.

Jadhav returned 3/23 with his unique side-arm action, his best figures in one-day internationals on Wednesday, 19 September. That made it 19 career ODI wickets for the 33-year-old, but more importantly, he was feeling stronger and fitter than he has in a while, having suffered a grade-2 hamstring tear in April.

“I feel my fitness has improved after my surgery, and in the last four months I have learnt a lot about training and fitness,” he said. “It has definitely helped me and has made me a different cricketer.

There was no tiredness from India after last night's win against Hong Kong as they romped to a massive win against Pakistan in the most anticipated clash of the #AsiaCup2018 group stage.#INDvPAK REPORT ⬇️https://t.co/4kVcWMdG74 pic.twitter.com/OXrutZTByO — ICC (@ICC) September 19, 2018

“Every time I did my rehab previously, I used to start playing, (thinking) that the problems won't come back again. Many a time I also used to miss my routine, but now, regardless of how I feel, I start my day with either gym or running. That gives me confidence that I'm getting stronger and fitter every day, and that helps me on the field.”

His bowling is also something that has improved since Mahendra Singh Dhoni first used him as a surprise option in an ODI against New Zealand in 2016. However, Jadhav revealed that he doesn’t work on his bowling at all, for fear of tampering with something that doesn’t need fixing.

“I don’t bowl much in the nets. Honestly, I just bowl a couple of overs in the practice session before a match,” he said. “I think if I try and work on my bowling in the net sessions, then whatever is there … it might get broken. So I stay in my limit.

“We try to do what we’re expected to do – bowling in the right areas, you know, keeping the pressure while the fielders are in the circle. If we stick to the processes, the results will take care of itself, and that’s what I feel is happening.”

India and Pakistan will lock horns again on Sunday, in the Super Four stage of Asia Cup 2018.