Former Indian opener Wasim Jaffer has stated that it is always better to put the team first after Rohit Sharma decided to declare the first innings at 574 runs.
Ravindra Jadeja had a chance to complete his maiden Test double hundred as he was only 25 runs away but Rohit decided to call back his batters.
Jaffer added it would have taken another 30-35 minutes for Jadeja to score 25 more runs to complete his double century and thus it was a guile decision from Rohit Sharma to declare the innings.
Jadeja scored a fine knock of 175 runs off 228 balls with help of 17 fours and three sixes. In fact, Jadeja himself revealed that he suggested Rohit Sharma to declare the innings as thought it was the right time to have a go at the Sri Lankan batters.
India’s plan worked well as they were able to take four wickets on the second day as Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandra Ashwin breathed down the neck of the opposition batters.
Wasim Jaffer said while talking to ESPN Cricinfo, “Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid would have definitely communicated with Jadeja and would have given him a timeframe. It is not possible that nobody knew when they would declare. To make 25 runs, you definitely need 30-45 minutes. So because of that, maybe they declared early.”
“I feel this new-look Indian team after Virat Kohli and Ravi Shastri’s tenure are not giving importance to personal milestones and are putting the team’s interest ahead. So I think this is a better message that you always put team first.”
On the other hand, the Cricket fraternity was taken by a piece of shocking news as Shane Warne died after suffering a heart attack on Friday. Warne played a key role in helping Jadeja take early strides in his career as the Australian was Rajasthan Royals captain in 2008. The legendary leg-spinner christened Jadeja as ‘Rockstar’. Jaffer added that Jadeja paid a huge tribute to Shane Warne after his fine knock.
“It was very sad to hear about the passing of Shane Warne. But Ravindra Jadeja paid a huge tribute to Warne with his knock. Warne used to rate Jadeja highly when they played together for the Rajasthan Royals. It is because of Jadeja’s knock that India is in the driver’s seat.”
India is in the driver’s seat in the first Test match against the Island nation as Sri Lanka were skittled out for 174 runs and the tourists have been asked to follow on.
