KL Rahul was at 22 runs off 19 balls when Indian captain Rohit Sharma made the call to declare the team’s second innings against Bangladesh. Fueled by outstanding centuries from Rishabh Pant and Shubman Gill, India tallied 287 runs before Rohit opted to declare on Day 3 of the third Test match, holding a commanding 515-run lead. At the time of the declaration, Gill was batting on 119 and Rahul on 22.
Some fans expressed concern that Rohit should have allowed Rahul more time in the crease, especially given Rahul's recent struggles. However, Rishabh Pant later clarified that Rohit had informed the team about his declaration plan an hour before it happened, during a discussion while Pant and Gill were at the crease.
"When we returned from lunch, there was talk about the innings declaration. Rohit bhai said, 'We’ll see if we can play for one more hour; whoever wants to score can do so.' So, I approached the game intending to score quickly. Who knows, I might even get to 150," Pant explained.
In light of this information, it was clear that Rohit’s declaration timing was predetermined and not a reflection of the players on the field.
Post-match, Rohit Sharma praised Rishabh Pant's remarkable comeback to Test cricket after a break of over 600 days. "He's faced significant challenges, and watching him navigate those tough times has been impressive. His return during the IPL, followed by a successful World Cup, showed that this is the format he truly enjoys," Rohit remarked.
He emphasised that the focus was never on how Pant would perform with the bat but rather on ensuring he had the opportunity to play. Rohit credited Pant for participating in the Duleep Trophy to prepare for this Test match and making an immediate impact in the game.