Watch FIFA World Cup 2026™

LIVE, FREE and EXCLUSIVE

India facing problem of plenty at top before second test

The touring side, ranked number one in the world, defeated Sri Lanka by 304 runs inside four days to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

India facing problem of plenty at top before second test
(Reuters)

While Shikhar Dhawan put India in the driver's seat on the opening day with a sparkling 190 off just 168 deliveries, it was his opening partner Abhinav Mukund's turn to shine in the second innings with an 81.

Dhawan and Mukund, however, were India's second-choice pairing, with Murali Vijay and KL Rahul unavailable.

Dhawan only came into the squad as a replacement for the injured Vijay, while Rahul was forced to miss the first test due to a viral fever.

With Rahul having recovered and ready to re-claim his spot, team management are left with a difficult choice before the Colombo test which starts on Thursday.

"Yes, it's a very tricky situation," Kohli told reporters.

"(And) we've got a fourth guy who's a regular opener for India who's not fit (Vijay). We've got all four openers firing now.

"Shikhar was supposed to go (home) to Melbourne, now he's got a 190 in Galle. So, anything can happen in life."

India piled on 600 in their first innings and then declared their second innings closed on 240 for three. Cheteshwar Pujara and Kohli also got hundreds as the touring side dominated the match on all four days.

Kohli said he hoped whoever missed out would understand.

"It's a massive headache but I guess a good one. You know, eventually guys understand that only two can take the field and at most two or three openers make the squad," the 28-year-old told reporters.

"It's going to be tough but it's something that any day you'd like to be in this situation rather than having guys that are not scoring."

(Reporting by Sudipto Ganguly in Mumbai; editing by Ian Ransom)


2 min read

Published

Source: Reuters


Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News straight to your inbox

Sign up now for daily news from Australia and around the world. You can also subscribe to Insight's weekly newsletter for in-depth features and first-person stories.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Follow SBS News

Download our apps

Listen to our podcasts

Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service

Watch now

Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world