Former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif said that captain Shubman Gill’s decision to enforce the follow-on during the second Test against Sri Lanka was the right decision as well. His comments came after the Test concluded on Day 5 (Thursday, August 27) in Colombo as well. Batting first, India declared their first innings at 503/9 after 138 overs. In reply, Sri Lanka were bundled out for 290 in 89.4 overs. With rain also affecting the game, India enforced the follow-on, but Sri Lanka put up a strong fight in their second innings, declaring at 429/9 after 154 overs as the Test match ended in a draw.

Speaking during a discussion on his YouTube channel (Mohammad Kaif), he said: “The follow-on was the right decision. People are debating whether they should have enforced the follow-on or not, saying that if they had batted again, the pitch would have deteriorated further. But, come on, it was already the fourth day, so the pitch was going to deteriorate anyway. When you enforced the follow-on, the pitch was already deteriorating and the ball was moving anyway, right?”

However, Mohammad Kaif added that enforcing the follow-on was the correct call, considering the rain factor. He also shared surprise that Sri Lanka batted for more than 150 overs after losing just three wickets on the final day.

“So, I agree with Shubman Gill on the follow-on. He made the right decision because the rainy weather was also a factor, and that was probably on his mind. The follow-on was the right call. But they went on to bat for 150 overs. They batted for 150 overs, which honestly surprises me. They were six down already, and on the entire fifth day, just three wickets fell, and they managed to save this Test match with the tail-enders,” Mohammad Kaif concluded.