Colombo: India skipper Shubman Gill said the decision to impose a follow-on against Sri Lanka in the second Test did not “backfire” as it was taken after considering the local weather and the team’s interest.
After bowling out Sri Lanka for 290 in the first innings, 13 runs shy of the follow-on mark, India decided to make the hosts bat again.
It seemed a correct call until India reduced the hosts to 229 for six at the end of the fourth day. But the home side batted out the whole of the final day to walk away with a draw.
India posted 503/9 declared and then bowled out Sri Lanka for 290, securing a massive 213-run lead.
Rather than batting again, Shubman Gill asked Sri Lanka to bat again on Day 4, noting the team had already fielded for over 250 total overs across the match and wanted enough time to force a result.
Sri Lanka’s Sonal Dinusha hit an unbeaten 133, anchoring a stubborn rearguard that pushed the score to 429/9 before a draw was agreed upon, preventing a 2-0 clean sweep.
Gill stated that it was the best choice available in the moment given the forecast.
