Indian captain Rohit Sharma has disposed several doubts and speculations surrounding India’s decision to declare early. The controversy arose when the hosts decided to declare after Lunch and at a score of 574/8 on Day 2.
Star all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja was batting at 175* and looked in extremely good touch. It seemed like it was only a matter of time before he would record the first double century of his international career. However, India decided to declare the innings.
Quickly after the end of the day’s play, Ravindra Jadeja clarified that he decided to put the team ahead of personal glory and backed the decision to declare even while chasing a personal milestone. The left-armer had noticed that the Sri Lankan players were getting tired and wanted to capitalize on that with the ball.
Following the conclusion of the Test, which ended in a massive innings and 222 run-victory for India, captain Rohit Sharma praised Jadeja’s selflessness and lauded him for his sensational all-round efforts.
“The highlight of the game was Jadeja. There was a question whether to declare or not, it was the team’s decision and Jadeja’s decision to put them in and shows how selfless he is.”
The 34-year-old also added that he though the pitch was great and the Test match ending in three days was more down to the credit the fantastic Indian bowlers deserve than anything to do with the conditions of the pitch.
“To be honest I didn’t think it is going to be that kind of a Test match which would get over in three days. It was a good batting pitch, there was some turn and some assistance for the seamers as well.
“Lot of credit to the guys, they bowled very well in tandem, kept the pressure and never made it easier for the Sri Lanka batsmen,” said Rohit.
Rohit Sharma has had a great start to life as Indian captain across all three formats and is yet to see the face of defeat. A key aspect of his captaincy has been the confidence he inspires in his players and the backing they receive from the team management.
This was also the case with Jayant Yadav who was utilized as India’s third spinner along with Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja. Rohit explained why he wanted Jayant to get game time.
“No thought process, it was about we make the most of the bowling options we have and we want to have other options as well. We wanted to make sure he (Jayant) gets some overs,” he concluded.
