Shubman Gill backs India’s bold approach after Sri Lanka draw ends clean-sweep hopes

India captain Shubman Gill has defended his decision to enforce the follow-on in the second Test against Sri Lanka, despite a determined resistance denying his side victory and preventing a clean sweep.

India dominated much of the match, making more than 500 before reducing Sri Lanka to 8-2. However, Sonal Dinusha led a stubborn fightback as the hosts held on for a draw in Colombo.

The result is a setback for India in the World Test Championship race. They remain fifth in the standings and face seven further Tests against New Zealand and Australia.

Gill said India had been right to press for victory after 70 overs were lost to rain during the first four days.

“We didn’t know how much cricket there would be on days four and five. And we wanted to take that chance,” he said.

India bowled 243.4 overs in their attempt to force a result, but the Colombo pitch became progressively less helpful to their spinners. Slow turn and significant bounce allowed Sri Lanka’s batters to defend with increasing confidence.

Only four lbw dismissals and two bowled wickets were taken by the spinners, with Gill explaining why the surface became difficult to attack.

“The balls that turned, they turned slowly and bounced quite high,” he said.

Rather than dwell on the missed opportunity, Gill highlighted the progress made by India’s younger players during the series.

Devdutt Padikkal was one of the leading performers, scoring 328 runs at an average of 109.33 and registering two centuries. Left-arm spinner Manav Suthar also made a major impact, taking 16 wickets, including a 10-wicket haul in Galle.

Gill praised Padikkal’s ability to convert strong starts into major scores.

“We speak about once a batter is set, he should make the most of it. And Devdutt showed that,” Gill said.

He was equally impressed by Suthar’s contribution and suggested the spinner could become a key figure for India in the years ahead.

“He’s been magnificent for us and I think he is going to be someone who is going to be leading the spin attack for India for a very long time,” he added.

Wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel also strengthened India’s middle order during the series, providing further encouragement from a developing group of players.

Although the draw in Colombo was frustrating after India had controlled large parts of the contest, Gill remains confident that his team can still reach the World Test Championship final.

“I still think we have got a pretty good chance to qualify for the WTC,” he said.

India leave Sri Lanka with a series victory and a number of positive performances from their younger players. However, they will also reflect on a second Test in which rain, a slowing pitch and Sri Lanka’s resistance combined to deny them a result they had appeared likely to secure.