On a high note, India began the new World Test Championship cycle, securing a resounding victory in the first Test against the West Indies. The match witnessed an outstanding performance from Ravichandran Ashwin, who took seven wickets in the hosts’ second innings. However, it was Indian skipper Rohit Sharma’s gesture during the declaration that garnered attention and sparked discussions among fans and pundits alike.
Team India asserted their dominance throughout the Test match, eventually winning by an innings and 141 runs. The hosts’ batting lineup collapsed for just 130 runs on Day 3, succumbing to Ashwin’s exceptional bowling prowess. Earlier in the day, India declared their innings at 421/5, boasting a formidable lead of 271 runs.
While the victory showcased India’s commanding performance, Rohit Sharma’s manner of declaring the innings drew attention and raised eyebrows. During the match, the Indian skipper appeared visibly dissatisfied and gestured towards wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan, who was on the field alongside Ravindra Jadeja. The gesture seemingly conveyed Rohit’s desire for Ishan to adopt an aggressive approach and score quickly as the team aimed to declare the innings.
The incident sparked misconceptions and led to speculation about Rohit’s intentions. However, it wasn’t until the post-game presentation that the Indian captain shed light on the matter. Rohit clarified that he called Ishan and Jadeja back to the dressing room because he believed they had only “an over or so” left before the declaration. He further explained that he wanted Ishan to score his initial runs in Test cricket before ending the innings.
During the post-match presentation, Rohit addressed the incident and shared his perspective. He mentioned that he wanted Ishan to get off the mark and acknowledged the young batter’s eagerness to bat. Rohit’s gesture was intended to convey the limited time available before the declaration. He intended to allow Ishan to score a few runs and achieve a personal milestone before closing the innings.
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“I just let them know we have an over or so before declaring. I wanted Ishan to get off the mark, wanted to tell him to get his mark, and then we had to declare. I could see that he was always eager to bat; it could be frustrating for them,” Rohit said in the post-match presentation.
Following Rohit’s gesture, Ishan Kishan promptly scored his first run on the next delivery and played a swift knock before the declaration was made in line with the captain’s directive. The interaction between Rohit and Ishan showcased their understanding and highlighted the desire for the young player to make an impact in his Test debut.
