The first two days of ongoing Test match between India and Sri Lanka have been dominated by the home side. However, despite them posting a mammoth total in first innings, the fans were not happy! The reason behind their disappointment was simple – Rohit Sharma’s decision to declare with Ravindra Jadeja so close to completing a well-deserved double century.
The left-handed batsman had batted brilliantly in Mohali on his way to 175* off 228 balls. He probably needed a few more overs only to reach the milestone, considering how aggressively he was playing. But unfortunately, India’s captain decided that their total of 574/8 was enough and it was time to get Sri Lank to bat.
The move did not go down well the cricket fans as they started to compare the moment to the infamous Multan Test in 2004 when Rahul Dravid had declared India’s innings with Sachin Tendulkar batting on 194*. Some of the fans went on to suggest that the common link between both these declarations is Rahul Dravid, who was then India’s captain and is now India’s coach.
Check out the reactions:
https://twitter.com/SaiKingkohli/status/1500025019417894912
https://twitter.com/133notout/status/1500023293813800962
Rohit Sharma has been unjust to Ravindra Jadeja. He should have given him an opportunity to complete his double century. What was hurry to declare in just the second session of day two.
— Vikash Jalan (@VikashJalan15) March 5, 2022
https://twitter.com/SinghReetam/status/1500023669158219778
Why in the hell did @ImRo45 declare the innings. #Jadeja
— Thiribuvan (@thiribuvan) March 5, 2022
#Jadeja #Rohit
Why did Rohit declare the innings? Jadeja was too close to his double hundred. pic.twitter.com/dUKlVohPp9— Krishna Aggarwal (@Krishna55371428) March 5, 2022
Sachin ( 194* vs Pak in Multan )
Rockstar Jadeja ( 175* vs SL )
One factor is common at both occasions – Rahul Dravid 😂#Jadeja #RahulDravid #Declaration #INDvSL— Aashish Shakya (@ShakyaAashish93) March 5, 2022
https://twitter.com/GudumbaNews/status/1500024827851255811
I love #RahulDravid but sometimes i think#sachin 194*#Jadeja 175* pic.twitter.com/edKUxpcb71
— Vkas Pankaj (@vkas_here) March 5, 2022
There was visible sense of disappointment among everyone as one does not really get a chance to score a double-hundred, especially when he bats at No. 7. However, Rohit Sharma has made his captaincy approach quite clear in his maiden Test as skipper, suggesting that decisions will be taken for team and not for individual milestones.
It will be interesting to see what Jadeja will have to say about the whole situation as Sachin Tendulkar, back in the day, had not shied away from admitting that he was not happy with the decision.