‘India should be wary of that from here on’ – Dinesh Karthik highlights where Shubman Gill’s men can improve after Galle win

India defeated Sri Lanka by 165 runs in the first Test at Galle, taking a 1-0 lead in the two-match series. The match concluded on Wednesday, August 19, marking India’s 600th Test appearance. Despite the commanding victory, former India wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik identified a significant area of concern for the team moving forward.

Karthik highlighted India’s vulnerability to Sri Lankan pace bowling in the second innings, an outcome that stood out given the spin-friendly conditions at the venue. The Sri Lankan pacers claimed six wickets in India’s second-innings batting, a performance that caught the former Kolkata Knight Riders captain’s attention.

“Things got a bit tricky in the second innings. When you think of Sri Lanka and Galle, you would think the spinners would pick up wickets. But the Sri Lankan pacers got six wickets in the second innings, which is something India should be wary of that here on in any Test match they play,” Karthik said in an Instagram video.

Pace bowling concern in India’s second innings

India’s first-innings total of 462 placed the team in a strong position early in the match. When Sri Lanka reached 90 for 5 in their first innings, the trajectory suggested the match could be concluded within three days. However, the second-innings batting collapse against pace bowling altered that momentum significantly.

“India got to 462 in the first innings, which basically means 50% of the Test match is in India’s hands. When they got Sri Lanka to 90/5 in the first innings, you thought this match could be done in three days,” Karthik said.

Suthar’s maiden 10-wicket haul in second Test

Karthik also praised left-arm spinner Manav Suthar for his exceptional performance in the match. Suthar claimed 10 wickets across the two innings, taking four in the first innings and 6 for 55 in the second innings. At 24 years and 16 days, Suthar became the youngest Indian spinner to achieve a 10-wicket haul on away soil.

“The art of a good bowler is to try and finish things off and pick quick wickets when required, and he did that,” Karthik opined.

Also Read: ‘Maybe he is not the preferred priority for Shubman Gill as a captain’ – R Ashwin’s interesting take on Kuldeep Yadav after Galle Test

Suthar’s performance demonstrated the ability to capitalise on opportunities and maintain control when the match situation demanded quick breakthroughs.