The IND vs SL 2nd Test stands on a compelling note after the conclusion of play on day 4. And that is because the Sri Lankan batsmen produced some fight in this game while the visitors are also battling against rain.
Having been bundled out for 284 and 206 in the 1st Test in Galle, where they lost by 165 runs, Sri Lanka scored 290 in their first innings in Colombo in reply to India’s mammoth total of 503.
Sri Lanka failed to avoid the follow-on by only 14 runs, and while usually teams these days don’t enforce the follow-on, India had already made up their mind to ask the hosts to bat again should they get the opportunity to do so. This is because of the threat of rain that has hung over this entire Test match in Colombo.
India enforced the follow-on on the Lankans, who would have raised their hopes slightly during the second- and third-wicket partnerships in their second innings. Pasindu Sooriyabandara, who would eventually fall for 92, was involved in a stand of 58 (68) with Kamil Mishara and of 115 (170) with Kamindu Mendis, who notched up a half-century.
But India found ways to break both those partnerships, and by the premature end to the day, India had plucked six Sri Lankan wickets while the hosts had a slender lead of 16 runs. On day 5, India would hope to clean up the rest of the Sri Lankan batting lineup early tomorrow and chase down whatever target is put in front of them.
However, one of the batters at the crease is Sri Lanka’s first innings centurion, Sonal Dinusha. But a bigger worry for India right now would be the Colombo weather for Thursday, where rain is predicted once again.
So far in four days of play, 300 overs have been bowled and 60 overs have been lost to rain, which is not an unusual thing in Sri Lanka this time of the year.
IND vs SL 2nd Test: Colombo weather update for Thursday; what are the chances of rain?
In the morning, there is a 96% probability of precipitation in Colombo on Thursday and 89% cloud cover. The probability of precipitation dips to 70% in the afternoon but back to 89% in the evening.
It’s possible that around 30-40 overs of play could be held on day 5. India would need to make the inroads quickly and go after the target with haste as they aim for a 2-0 sweep.
Meanwhile, the Indian captain Shubman Gill and the team management have been dealt with a rare worry of no-balls by their spinners. The Indian spinners have bowled 10 no balls in the Colombo Test, the third-most by a spin attack has done since 2021.
India’s spin bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule fronted up to the press. He reckoned the lack of fear of a free hit in Test cricket could be one reason for the Indian spinners treading the front-foot line less cautiously.
“If you bowl a no ball, there will be a consequence. I am no guardian of the rules, but if it [free-hit] comes, obviously, they [no-balls] will definitely reduce. No team would want to bowl those no-balls and give that extra ball and give those extra runs,” Bahutule said.
Bahutule, who was appointed in the role in June this year, also feels that sometimes the no-balls could be a result of the bowling trying to push harder in search of a wicket.
“To be honest, definitely, it is something which we have been working on. It is not that we are ignoring it. It is definitely a concern at times, but generally when the bowler is putting in that effort, trying to see how he can create that opportunity and get the wicket in, in situations where wickets are not coming through, he has a tendency to push himself. But that is not an excuse,” Bahutule added.
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