27 August,2026 10:19 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Shubman Gill (Pic: ICC)
Indian captain Shubman Gill admitted that missing out on a victory in the second Test against Sri Lanka was disappointing, yet he awarded full marks to his players for their dedication and attitude throughout the contest.
India had placed Sri Lanka in trouble at 229 for six by the fourth day's close, but Sonal Dinusha's resilient unbeaten 133 enabled the hosts to survive the entirety of Day 5 and earn a draw at the Sinhalese Sports Club ground.
Reflecting on the final day's play, Gill highlighted how Sri Lanka's defensive approach made taking wickets particularly challenging.
"It gets very frustrating. We attacked a lot in the beginning. But I think as the match went on, the wicket got slower. It was not like the ball was not moving, and when the ball was spinning, the wickets were not in play. It was not like the wicket was very flat," said Gill at the post-match press meet.
"Unless you are playing a shot and looking to make a run, then it is difficult to take a wicket. We tried all that we could, and I don't think there was any lack of intensity or the efforts that we put in. The spinners bowled 50-60 overs on the trot for three days.
"Fielding for three days is not an easy task in these conditions. I would say 10 out of 10 for the effort and the intent. They also played really well," he added.
"On day 4, we thought we had created chances. If there was a little more pressure, the wickets would have come, and then maybe the result would have been better. But as long as we still have a chance to qualify for the World Test Championship (final), it's fine."
Looking ahead, Gill expressed confidence regarding India's World Test Championship qualification path, which includes two upcoming Test matches away in New Zealand followed by a five-Test series at home against Australia.
"I still think we've got a pretty good chance to qualify for the WTC final. If we play the New Zealand series well and then, hopefully, by the time the Australia series comes, we just have to win the series.
"If we're in a situation where we just have to win the series, I think we'll be in a good position to qualify for the WTC," he concluded.
