Former Indian Test batter Cheteshwar Pujara has urged India to be brave in their declaration call in the second innings on day four of the ongoing first Test match against Sri Lanka at Galle. India were able to get a big lead of 178 runs after Sri Lanka was bowled out for 284 runs, following visitors’ score of 462 runs in the first innings.

Pujara highlighted that India would need to win both Test matches against Sri Lanka to stay in the hunt for qualification for the World Test Championship final.

Pujara said on Cricinfo, “India will have to make their intentions very clear. Not a lot of time is left in the Test match. Also, you have to keep an eye on the forecast. You can’t ignore it. To qualify for the WTC final, they will have to win both the Test matches. To do that, they will have to be a little brave and a little more aggressive.

“India will have to be brave with their declaration. They will have to give enough time to the bowlers. Maybe try and look at a minimum of 90-100 overs. To do that, India will have to declare at somewhere between 350-375. In worst case scenario, if Sri Lanka get to 350-375, give credit to Sri Lanka, but India will have to be brave.”

India are currently 80-2 after 19 overs in the second innings and they are leading by 258 runs.

Rain played killjoy on the first two days of the Test match and the final session was also impacted by the weather on the third day’s play.