SL vs IND: India open to enforcing follow-on in bid to win rain-hit Colombo Test

India bowling coach Morne Morkel confirmed that the visitors could enforce the follow-on against Sri Lanka in the second Test in Colombo if they get the chance, with the weather set to play a key role.SL vs IND: Desperate India ready to enforce follow-on in bid to win rain-hit Colombo Test (AP Photo)Brief Scores: Sri Lanka (265/8 in 83.4 overs) trail India (503/9d) by 238 runs at stumps on Day 3 in the Colombo Test.India would not shy away from enforcing the follow-on against Sri Lanka in Colombo if they get the chance, with rain having eaten into valuable playing time. Only 222 overs have been bowled across the first three days due to untimely rain interruptions.Sri Lanka ended day three needing 39 more runs to avoid the follow-on, with Sonal Dinusha unbeaten on 85. He was involved in a ninth-wicket stand that had lasted more than 15 overs by the close of play.India, though, still had the second new ball, which was only 3.2 overs old and had created more chances than the softer older ball. "That will be the first prize that we can get those two wickets tomorrow early," India's bowling coach Morne Morkel said. "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."SL vs IND, 2nd Test Day 3: Highlights | Scorecard Teams generally prefer to bat again after securing a big first-innings lead rather than enforce the follow-on. It gives them a chance to bat the opposition out of the game before bowling again on a pitch that may have deteriorated.India last enforced the follow-on under Shubman Gill's captaincy against the West Indies in Delhi last year. India had to bowl for 118.5 overs to dismiss the West Indies for the second time before chasing down 121 on the fifth day.In Colombo, however, the weather could make the follow-on a more attractive option. India bowled 80.4 overs on the third day but managed only six wickets, while the pitch continued to offer good conditions for batting.India also had to work hard for wickets, with some breakthroughs coming against the run of play. The conditions have made bowling particularly difficult, with the ball softening quickly in the heat."It is hard work out there, you know," Morkel said. "I think sometimes even us, we get sucked in that expectation where we think it looks slightly dry and we need to bowl teams out for under 200. But unfortunately, at times it's not gonna work like that. It's tough conditions; it's hot, hot conditions. The ball goes soft quite quickly."Morkel said the team had spoken about the challenge of bowling long spells and creating pressure during the third day's play."As the boys walked in there tonight, I said to them it is a proper day of Test cricket, and this is how we're gonna learn. This is how we're gonna grow. We always talk about bowling in partnerships, about creating pressure, and this is how you develop it - on days like today, when there's a batting partnership going [on]. You can break it. The key is to define that breakthrough, and then how well can you start your next thing."India will also be hoping to have Rishabh Pant back behind the stumps on Day 4. Pant had retired hurt with a wrist injury while batting before returning to the crease, where he was struck on the shoulder by short balls."Rishabh obviously got hit on the shoulder. I think it was discussed last night," Morkel said. "It is quite badly bruised. I think he was just a little bit restricted in his movement this morning when he tried to warm up. I think they'll keep on monitoring him now overnight, and hopefully, he'll be behind the stumps for us tomorrow. I think it's important to have him there. His reading of the game is exceptional."- EndsPublished By: Saurabh KumarPublished On: Aug 25, 2026 20:44 IST