On Wednesday, August 26, the second Test between India and Sri Lanka at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo reached Day 4. After dismissing Sri Lanka in their opening innings, India enforced the follow-on. The day’s play ended early due to rain, with Sri Lanka at 229 for 6 and a narrow 16-run lead.
The former India number three feels Shubman Gill lost control of the game during the middle session, when Sri Lanka launched a serious counterattack.
India gained a lead of 213 and the opportunity to enforce the follow-on after Sri Lanka, who had started on 265 for 8, was bowled out for 290. The hosts reacted much better the second time Gill took it.
Former India batsman Cheteshwar Pujara gave his opinion on how skipper Shubman Gill led the team during a crucial part of the game. Between lunch and tea, when Sri Lanka’s batting response presented India with a unique challenge, Pujara looked at Gill’s decision-making.
Pujara said to Sony Sports, “If you look at the session between lunch and tea, Shubman was tested as a captain. He went defensive too early. That is where he will have to learn going forward. India were a little shocked with Sri Lanka’s counter-attack. This is where you need to show a little more courage. Encourage your bowlers to still pick up wickets rather than go too defensive.”
Between lunch and tea, Sri Lanka amassed 116 runs for the loss of just one wicket, cutting the lead to just 14 thanks to a century stand between Pasindu Sooriyabandara and Kamindu Mendis. Gill’s tactical decisions during a particular stage of play when Sri Lanka established a potent batting comeback were the focus of Pujara’s criticism.
The former India batter felt that instead of adopting a defensive mindset, the skipper ought to have continued to bowl more aggressively. Pujara believed that this early defensive change might be expensive in subsequent Test matches against strong opponents. Pujara was optimistic that Gill will grow from the experience and improve as captain going forward. This session’s tactical lesson would influence Gill’s future decision-making under pressure.
