Colombo:India captain Shubman Gill defended the decision to enforce the follow-on against Sri Lanka in the second Test, maintaining it did not “backfire” and was made after carefully evaluating weather forecasts and team strategy.
After dismissing Sri Lanka for 290 in their first innings-13 runs short of the follow-on threshold-India opted to make the hosts bat again. The strategy appeared to pay off when Sri Lanka were reduced to 229 for six by the close of play on Day 4. However, the home side batted through the entire final day to secure a hard-fought draw.
“I would not say it (follow-on) backfired. We were also anticipating weather on Day 4 or 5 would be possible or not. We wanted to take that chance,” Gill said during the post-match press conference on Thursday.
“Should we bat again on day 4 and make 200 runs and give them a target of around 400? Or should we give them a follow-on? That was the decision,” he added.
Gill emphasized that the choice aligned with the team’s requirements at that moment.
“If we had not given a follow-on and it rained, you could have asked why we did not enforce a follow-on. But you have to make the best decision possible in that situation. So, I don’t think the follow-on did not backfire.
“They played really well. Some things didn’t go our way. Like I said, when you play in India or any other turning track, usually all three modes of dismissals are in the game – caught behind or at slip, LBW and bowled. There were a lot of LBW calls and they did not work for us. So, we had to change our plans,” he explained.
When asked if the outcome felt equivalent to a loss given India’s dominant position over the first four days, Gill acknowledged the disappointment while crediting the opposition. India had compiled over 500 runs in their single innings, bowled Sri Lanka out for 290, and quickly made inroads into their second innings.
“I wouldn’t say it felt like a loss. But obviously if you make 500 runs in the first innings, and took two early wickets then we only had to take 18 wickets in three days. Usually in that situation you feel that you will win the match.
“So in the situation we were in, the way they drew, credit to them, it was disappointing, obviously. We hoped for a win. But we have to also give them credit for their character,” he said.
Despite missing out on a victory in the final Test, Gill highlighted encouraging performances from a series that India won 1-0.
“Devdutt playing his only third and fourth Tests, did really well. technically his first series, did it really well. I think we played good cricket in the series. Whenever we were under pressure, we came back and played well.
“So overall, apart from today, if we look at the last 8-9 days of cricket, I think we were at the top every day. They’re also at their home conditions and a lot of people take that for granted,” he noted.
Addressing head coach Gautam Gambhir’s recent support for three-match Test series, Gill agreed that longer series yield better competitive outcomes, though he noted it has minimal impact on World Test Championship (WTC) qualifications.
“Even if it was three Test matches, at the end of the day, it’s the percentage that counts in the Test championship. The three Test series would have been more fun as instead of playing for a draw, they (SL) might have to go for a win.
“In the (WTC) points table, I don’t think it really makes a difference playing a three or two Test series because you’re playing a series after that and then you’re playing another series after that. It’s the total number of matches that you play and how many wins that you have generally count,” Gill concluded.