Pujara on India's Day 4 strategy: Batting again would be the right call in Colombo

India declared at 503 for nine wickets on Day 2 of the second Test in Colombo and Sri Lanka Day 3 at 8/2. The hosts reached 265 for eight in 83.4 overs by the close of play, still facing the possibility of being asked to follow on depending on their final first-innings total. The match situation has prompted analysis of India's tactical options heading into the fourth day. The hosts need another 39 runs to avoid the follow-on.

Cheteshwar Pujara has outlined India's likely approach if Sri Lanka don't manage to avoid the follow-on. According to Pujara, the Indian team would bat again even in that scenario, continuing until close to the end of the second session on Day 4. Pujara explained that 110-120 overs of bowling in the fourth innings would be sufficient for India to win the match, taking into account the wicket conditions and the possibility of rain interruptions that have affected play throughout the series.

"Then, the Indian team will have to bat very fast and declare close to Tea time. If the Sri Lankan batters bat for two hours tomorrow, it will be a difficult time for India. Hopefully, they take the two wickets within an hour. If the Indian team reaches the position to enforce the follow-on, they might not do it because the bowlers are tired, and the wicket hasn't broken that much," Pujara said during a discussion on Sony Sports.

Why India might bat again despite avoiding follow-on

Both fast bowlers Prasidh Krishna and Mohammed Siraj have already bowled extensively with the new ball during Sri Lanka's first innings. If India were to enforce the follow-on immediately, these bowlers would be required to continue bowling without getting some rest in the hot and humid conditions. Pujara stressed that resting the bowlers through another batting innings would be strategically sound.

"So you would want to bat again and give a little rest to the bowlers. Considering the wicket, at least four sessions will be required, and we have seen that it rains a little every day. So even if there is a rain interruption, you can win the match if you have 110-120 overs," Pujara said.

"You can look at it both ways. That's my point of view because our bowlers are tired. Both fast bowlers have bowled a lot with the new ball. If we enforce the follow-on, Prasidh Krishna and Mohammed Siraj will have to bowl, and when the ball gets old, the spinners don't get that much help," he added.

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Pujara opined that the bowlers will be asked before taking a decision on whether to enfore the follow-on or not. However, he mentioned that the answer is usually in the negative after 70-80 overs have been bowled in an innings.

"If the Sri Lankan team bats well and loses only four wickets by the end of the fourth day, you will have six wickets left on the last day, and you would back yourself to play the whole day, and it might rain. When teams have to make that decision, you ask the bowlers whether they are ready as a bowling unit if they give the follow-on. However, usually, the answer is no after 70-80 overs," Pujara said.