Will Gill enforce follow-on? India bowling coach Morkel gives insight as rain threat looms large in Colombo

On Day 4, India need to pick two early wickets to be in position to enforce follow-on. The rain threat looms large in Colombo and India need a win in the second Test to move up in the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 standings. However, there is a question mark over whether skipper Shubman Gill will enforce follow-on or try and post a daunting target on the board once again. After the end of Day 3's play, bowling coach Morne Morkel has not ruled out the possibility of asking Sri Lanka to bat first if they get early wickets. He wants bowlers to have as many overs possible to bowl out Sri Lanka again and win the Test.

"That will be the first prize… that we can get those two wickets tomorrow early," Morkel told the reporters after stumps on Day 3.

"I know it's a cliche thing, but you know, with the weather around and sometimes the time it takes with taking the covers on and off, we want to try and get as many overs as possible to the Sri Lankans. So hopefully, we can get those wickets tomorrow and then be brave, put them in, and bowl well."

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Sri Lanka were 265/8 when the rain stopped play late into Day 3. An in-form Sonal Dinusha and lower-order staged Sri Lanka's comeback. Dinusha was unbeaten on 85 whereas Lahiru Kumara supported with him eight runs from 50 balls.

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Dinusha helped SL avoid foll-won in Galle too

Notably, Dinusha's partnerships with lower order denied India the opportunity to enforce follow-on in the first Test as well. In reply to India's 462, Dinusha's maiden Test century helped the hosts post 284 on the board. India posted 193 in the second innings and set a target of 372.

Pant’s presence crucial

India are expected to do something similar in the second Test as well. But, this time around, Rishabh Pant may not be there to score quick runs. Pant got injured in the first innings and retired hurt. Despite a shoulder injury, he batted and scored a half-century. If he doesn’t bat in the second innings, India would rely on others to score quickfire runs.

Morkel revealed that the wicketkeeper's shoulder is 'badly bruised' leading to restricted movement. He is currently being monitored by the medical team. He hopes that Pant keeps soon.