'It was Jadeja's decision' - Rohit Sharma speaks on Mohali declaration against Sri Lanka

India captain Rohit Sharma spoke about the controversy over declaring the Indian innings at the end of the first Test against Sri Lanka in Mohali on Sunday, March 6. He said that it was the decision of spinner-all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja to make such a call.

Sharma, who captained India for the first time in Tests at the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium, was slammed over his decision to declare India’s first innings on 574 for 8 at a time when Jadeja was batting on a record-breaking 175. Critics said Sharma did so to save his own reputation and denied Jadeja from hitting a double century.

Jadeja wanted India to make tired Lankans bat for stumps

However, it was the ace all-rounder who revealed that it was him who had suggested to the Indian management that India should declare the innings and make the tired Sri Lankans bat for stumps on Day 2 of the match. He did it despite having a golden opportunity of hitting his maiden double ton in international cricket.

The 33-year-old player’s suggestion paid off as the visitors lost a number of wickets in the response to the hosts’ mammoth total and eventually lost the match by an innings and 222 runs in the third afternoon after being made to follow on.

Sharma praised Jadeja, who made his international comeback in the ongoing series against Sri Lanka, in the post-match presentation ceremony for his selfless gesture.

“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.”

Jadeja was adjudged the player of the match for his all-round show as he picked nine wickets besides playing the stellar knock with the bat. His 228-ball innings broke the legendary Kapil Dev’s 36-year-old record of the highest individual score at No.7 in Tests for India.

India pocketed 12 World Test Championship points as a result of the thumping win. The second Test will be a day-night affair in Bengaluru starting March 12 and the pink-ball will be used on the occasion.

The Mohali Test was also the 100^th for former captain Virat Kohli who completed 8,000 runs in the format during the game.