'He wanted Jadeja to get double hundred' - Ravi Ashwin lavishes praises on Rohit's captaincy

Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has heaped massive praises on Rohit’s overall display of captaincy during the first Test against Sri Lanka. Rohit replaced Virat Kohli, India’s most successful Test captain, and the former has started his captaincy run impressively as well with a win over Sri Lanka in the first Test convincingly.

Ravindra Jadeja’s stellar show with both bat and ball was one of the talking points of the Test apart from Rohit’s captaincy. The left-hander hit a magnificent unbeaten 175 in the first innings and took the good form into his bowling as well as he became the 4th Indian cricketer after Vinoo Mankad, Polly Umrigar and Ashwin to bag a century and a fifer in the same Test. India also had other positives with Hanuma Vihari looking strong for the number three position in the batting line-up at the moment.

I saw a lot of human elements in the way Rohit led the side: R Ashwin

Ashwin highlighted that Rohit’s human elements were visible in his Test captaincy and recalled the moments when Rohit was quite keen to ensure everyone was in their comfort zone. He noted the importance of giving the third spinner, Jayant Yadav some overs towards the end and the former was very much impressed with it.

“Rohit, we all know, how tactically strong he is and how good he is. But I saw a lot of human elements in the way he led the side. He was looking out for anyone in the team, how everyone would feel, how everyone’s confidence is important for the engine room to function. The way he wanted to look after Jayant the third spinner was under-bowled but he wanted to look after him, wanted to rotate the bowlers. How he kept the fast bowlers from one end all through the match,” Ashwin told BCCI.

R Ashwin also revealed that Rohit wanted Jadeja to get to his double century despite the declaration around the corner and noted that it was Jadeja’s decision to declare the innings.

“Even beyond all these tactical things, he kept the game simple. When he wanted to declare, he wanted Jadeja to get a double hundred. Eventually, it was Jaddu who said it’s not important and you should go for a declaration. So, all those things, I am sure Rohit is very, very experienced. I thought he did a phenomenal job,” Ashwin added. Meanwhile, the second Test will be a day-night game and will take place in Bengaluru from March 12-16.