{
  "id": 1624116,
  "title": "‘Be brave with declaration’: Former batter’s advice for India to win Galle Test",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/be-brave-with-declaration-former-batters-advice-for-india-to-win",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-18T03:30:17.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Indian Express",
    "slug": "the-indian-express",
    "url": "https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/cricket/india-be-brave-declaration-day-4-galle-test-win-sri-lanka-pujara-10837973/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Former India batter Cheteshwar Pujara has advised the team to be brave with their decision on when to declare during the fourth day of the Galle Test against Sri Lanka. With nine Tests remaining in the current WTC cycle, India needs to secure six or seven victories to maintain their qualification hopes for the final next year. The match has already seen significant disruptions due to rain, with the first three days' overs lost. After posting 462 in the first innings, India managed to dismiss Sri Lanka for 284, leaving them with a meager 178-run lead. Pujara emphasized the need for the team to accelerate their pace in the match, especially during Tuesday's play, to ensure they have enough time to bowl out the hosts again. He also highlighted the importance of keeping an eye on the weather forecast and making a well-timed declaration, in the range of 350-375 runs, to give the bowlers sufficient time.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Indian Express",
        "title": "‘Should have done better’: Pujara criticises India bowler after Galle Test Day 3",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/should-have-done-better-pujara-criticises-india-bowler-after-galle",
        "published": "2026-08-18T03:00:52.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}