‘It was my call to declare the innings’- Ravindra Jadeja

Many cricket experts including Indian cricket fans were left surprised after skipper Rohit Sharma declared Indian innings at a score of 574/8 with allrounder Ravindra Jadeja batting on 175 runs and advancing to a double hundred in the first Test against Sri Lanka. Several fans believed that it was the call of head coach Rahul Dravid.

In a similar incident, allrounder Jadeja was about to get his first-ever double hundred before Indian management decided to declare home side innings. The decision was bound to upset Indian fans as many of them thought that Jadeja could have been given some more balls and to reach the milestone. However, that was not the case.

We thought of taking a few wickets before Tea: Ravindra Jadeja

Speaking at the press conference, Jadeja revealed that it was actually his idea to declare the innings. “Rohit Sharma sent a message through Kuldeep to go for 200 after that we will take declaration but I opposed his suggestion of making 200 saying if we make tired Sri Lankan batsman play before tea then we might get an early wicket, ” Jadeja told reporters.

Coming back to the match, India are in a strong position after scalping four wickets of the Sri Lankan side. Winning the toss, India opted to bat first with contributions from most of the batters. Jadeja was the top contributor for the home side, scoring 175 runs. Indian wicketkeeper batter Rishabh Pant scored 96 runs, while Hanuma Vihari and Ravichandran Ashwin also scored half-centuries.

In reply, Sri Lanka are 108/4 with Pathum Nissanka and Charith Asalanka still on the crease by the end of the second day’s play. In bowling, Ashwin has scalped two wickets while Bumrah and Jadeja picked one wicket each. The hosts will look to wrap the Sri Lankan innings and extend their dominance in the match.