India vs Sri Lanka: A hold, the choke and then the frustrating close

In Colombo, the final day of the India vs Sri Lanka Test match resembled the second day, with grey clouds gathering over the stadium as the end approached. Sri Lanka, in survival mode, kept India on the field for the entire day, enduring over 80 overs of hard work. Morkel, the Indian bowling coach, emphasized the importance of enforcing the follow-on, stating, "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."

India's Prasidh Krishna excelled on the hot morning, taking the first wicket with Kamil Mishra. The lanky fast bowler's consistent performance and ability to adapt to the conditions made him a valuable asset. Despite the challenging conditions, Krishna took the second wicket in the morning session and was rewarded for his persistence.

The score reached 173 before panic set in for Sri Lanka, who were left seven down after just three deliveries. The early wickets, combined with the unpredictable bounce and turn, made it difficult for the home team to build a strong innings. India's tail, led by Sonal Dinusha, frustrated Sri Lanka's batsmen with the ball, adding to their woes.

Morkel acknowledged the grueling nature of Test cricket, stating, "For most of that period, the attention focused on getting rid of Lahiru, while Sonal continued his ways in a rather comfortable and open field setting." He emphasized the importance of finding breakthroughs and learning how to maintain partnerships. Morkel's message to the young players was clear: embrace the challenges and find creative ways to contribute to the team's success.