Rohit hails India's 33-year-old comeback star, calls him 'complete package': 'He seems to be getting better and better'
A satisfied Rohit Sharman lauded India's show and one player in particular, whose contribution has made a huge difference in the balance of this unit.
India secured a 2-0 clean sweep over Sri Lanka with a resounding 238-run win inside three days in the day/night Test in Bengaluru. Needing almost 450 runs to win, Sri Lanka were bowled out for 208 in the fourth innings despite impressive resistance shown by Dimuth Karunaratne. On a surface where Sri Lanka struggled, Karunaratne scored a masterful century, one that could well go down as one if the best hundreds scored by a visiting batter in India. However, it was not enough as Jasprit Bumrah and R Ashwin combined to take eight seven wickets to floor the hosts. (Also Read: Where do India stand at WTC points table after 2-0 clean sweep over Sri Lanka)
With the win, Rohit Sharma has extended his winning streak as India captain to 11 matches. Since taking over India's captaincy full-time Rohit is yet to lose a game and even though the road ahead will be more challenging with stronger teams lined up, India would be happy to have climbed up to the fourth position in the World Test Championship points table. A satisfied Rohit lauded India’s show and one player in particular, whose contribution has made a huge difference in the balance of this unit.
"It's been a good run, and I have enjoyed it personally and as a team. We wanted to achieve a few things as a team, and we have done that. We have seen Ravindra Jadeja grow as a batter, and he seems to get better and better. He strengthens the team, and he's also improving as a bowler. And he's a gun fielder, so he is a complete package," Rohit said during the post-match presentation ceremony.
Having last played any form of competitive cricket last November, Jadeja returned with a bang. In the first Test at Mohali, Jadeja finished with a match-haul of nine wickets - including a five-for in the first innings - and scored a career-best 175. In the second, Jadeja remained slightly low profile scoring 4 and 22 and grabbing one wicket. As for the pink ball, this was India's third day-night Test at home and the Men in Blue have remained unbeaten. Having said that Rohit admitted that the team is still new to it and are learning something new everyday playing the pink-ball Test.
"Pink-ball Tests are challenging. We never knew what it was like to play with the pink ball in India, but we are learning to make those adjustments. The crowd just makes it more special," added the India captain.
