'I want to use Ravindra Jadeja a lot more with the bat' - Rohit Sharma after all-rounder's breathtaking 175 in Mohali Test

Ravindra Jadeja was at his all-round best in the recently-concluded first Test against Sri Lanka in Mohali. While the southpaw slammed a breathtaking 175 in India’s first innings, he scalped a total of nine wickets in the match. As a result, the game concluded inside three days and India clinched the affair by an innings and 222 runs. Needless to mention, Jadeja was adjudged the Player of the Match and is receiving praises from different corners.

Skipper Rohit Sharma is also mighty pleased with Jadeja’s special show and he expressed the same after the contest. Lavishing massive praises on the southpaw, the 34-year-old said he wants to use Jadeja ‘more with the bat.’ Notably, the all-rounder’s batting numbers have gone up in the last couple of years. Rohit is also well aware of the same as he wants the all-rounder to continue contributing significantly in the batting department.

Ravindra Jadeja is one of the top all-rounders: Rohit Sharma

“As a captain, I want to use Jadeja a lot more with the bat. We all know his bowling and everyone knows about his fielding. To me, he is one of the top (all-rounders) definitely. Look at the performances. To score 175 not out and take nine wickets in the game, he’s just upping his game every time we see him,” Rohit said in the post-match press conference.

“In the past as well, when we played in India, his contribution with the bat lower down the order and taking those crucial wickets (has been great). You know, he just seems to be adding a lot more to his game every time he plays. He’s very hungry, as you can see. That hunger is something that drives athletes to move forward. I see that in Jadeja clearly. He’s quite hungry for success, for runs and do well for the team,” he added.

Notably, Jadeja played a couple of fiery cameos while batting up the order in the recently-concluded T20I series against Sri Lanka. Speaking of the same, Rohit revealed that the southpaw was ready to get a promotion in the batting order.

“He wants to take the responsibility, he wants to take the challenge. The example was there in the T20I series against Sri Lanka. I just casually asked him if he would want to bat up the order, and he was open to it. That is why we asked him to go up in the first T20,” said Rohit further.