After the third day of the second Test between India and Sri Lanka, former India batter Cheteshwar Pujara has said that India might not enforce the follow-on even if they are in a position to do so as well. He also added that the visitors would want to bat until around the end of the second session, stating that 110-120 overs of bowling would be enough to win the game as well. However, Sri Lanka ended Day 3 (Tuesday, August 25) in Colombo at 265/8 in their first innings in response to India’s total of 503/9 declared. They need 39 runs to avoid the follow-on as well.
During a discussion on Sony Sports, Pujara said, “Then, the Indian team will have to bat very fast and declare close to Tea time. If the Sri Lankan batters bat for two hours tomorrow, it will be a difficult time for India. Hopefully, they take the two wickets within an hour. If the Indian team reaches the position to enforce the follow-on, they might not do it because the bowlers are tired, and the wicket hasn’t broken that much.”
“So you would want to bat again and give a little rest to the bowlers. Considering the wicket, at least four sessions will be required, and we have seen that it rains a little every day. So even if there is a rain interruption, you can win the match if you have 110-120 overs,” he further added.
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However, Cheteshwar Pujara also added that India shouldn’t enforce the follow-on because their pace bowlers, especially Prasidh Krishna and Mohammed Siraj, would be tired.
“You can look at it both ways. That’s my point of view because our bowlers are tired. Both fast bowlers have bowled a lot with the new ball. If we enforce the follow-on, Prasidh Krishna and Mohammed Siraj will have to bowl, and when the ball gets old, the spinners don’t get that much help,” he said.
“If the Sri Lankan team bats well and loses only four wickets by the end of the fourth day, you will have six wickets left on the last day, and you would back yourself to play the whole day, and it might rain. When teams have to make that decision, you ask the bowlers whether they are ready as a bowling unit if they give the follow-on. However, usually, the answer is no after 70-80 overs,” Cheteshwar Pujara concluded.
