Srikkanth backs Gill’s follow-on call in Colombo despite bowler fatigue concerns

India enforced the follow-on after bowling Sri Lanka out for 290 in reply to their first-innings score of 503 for 9 wickets. The second Test at the SSC Ground in Colombo ended in a draw on Thursday, August 27. The result meant India closed out the two-match series 1-0, having already won the series opener.

Former India opener Kris Srikkanth has defended captain Shubman Gill‘s decision to enforce the follow-on, emphasising the impact of rain-curtailed conditions on the match. Srikkanth stated that India had limited options given the weather situation that had consistently affected the series.

“India had no other choice because of the rainy conditions. I agree with the follow-on decision. What would India have done batting again? They would have done nothing. Because it was a rain-curtailed match, time was a factor,” Srikkanth said when asked whether India’s decision to enforce the follow-on was correct or not on his YouTube channel.

Why the follow-on made sense in rain-affected conditions

The follow-on decision meant India ended up bowling 243.4 overs in a row across the match. Srikkanth acknowledged that bowler fatigue was a legitimate concern arising from this choice, though he maintained the decision was justified under the circumstances. When India made the call to enforce the follow-on, they had no certainty about uninterrupted play on the final day, given how rain had consistently disrupted the series.

“The only reasoning against it could have been to give bowlers two hours of rest. Just for that, India could have maybe batted for 30 overs. Now they’ve ended up bowling on three consecutive days, so the bowlers would have been tired,” the cricketer-turned-expert said.

Also Read: ‘India should have won the match hands down’ – Kris Srikkanth slams Gill and Co. after Colombo draw

India took full 12 points from the first Test but couldn’t do so in the second. This draw makes their chances of reaching the World Test Championship (WTC) final all the more difficult. The Asian giants have two difficult series lined up against Australia and New Zealand before the final. They will have to win as many matches as they can to retain hopes of playing in the WTC final.