Will India enforce follow-on in Colombo Test vs Sri Lanka? Bowling coach Morne Morkel reveals

India’s bowling coach Morne Morkel has said that the team will not shy away from enforcing the follow-on on Sri Lanka on Day 4 of the ongoing second Test at the Sinhalese Sports Club, Colombo. Sri Lanka finished Day 3 on 265/8, trailing by 238 runs in the first innings as rain once again brought an early end to the day’s play.

A total of 80.4 overs were bowled in the day out of the 98 expected, and the rain threat continues to loom large on the match with inclement weather predicted for the last two days of the Test. With crucial World Test Championship (WTC) points at stake, India are contemplating enforcing the follow-on if they get an opportunity to do so on Day 4.

"That will be the first prize… that we can get those two wickets tomorrow early. 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,” said Morkel in the press conference at the end of the day’s play.

The last time India enforced the follow-on was during the second Test against West Indies in Delhi in October, 2025. The Shubman Gill-led side had to toil for 118.5 overs to dismiss West Indies in their second innings and then were asked to chase down a modest target of 121 on Day 5.

Meanwhile, Morkel also gave an update on Rishabh Pant’s fitness, revealing that he’s being monitored consistently.

Hopefully, Pant will be behind the stumps for us tomorrow: Morkel

"Rishabh obviously got hit on the shoulder. I think that it was discussed last night. 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,” he added.

Pant retired hurt on Day 1, after being hit while trying to pull a 133kph short ball from Lahiru Kumara over deep backward square leg for six.

He did not initially appear to be in severe discomfort but received medical attention for several minutes before leaving the field, unbeaten on 3 off 15 balls. He returned to bat on Day 2, scoring 63 (89) but didn’t come out to field as Dhruv Jurel has kept wickets in his place in the match so far.