Former Indian fast bowler Dodda Ganesh has questioned India’s decision to enforce the follow-on on the fourth day of the second Test match against Sri Lanka at Colombo on Wednesday. India’s bowling coach Morne Morkel revealed in the post-day press conference on Tuesday that they will decide to enforce the follow-on if they get a chance to do so.

Saransh Jain was able to get two wickets of Lahiru Kumara and Sonal Dinusha before Sri Lanka could avoid the follow-on. Ganesh highlighted that India has decided to give the follow-on to the hosts, keeping the Colombo weather in mind, and the visitors could be in some trouble if Sri Lanka go on to give them a target of 180 runs.

Currently, Sri Lanka are motoring along at 171-2 after 41.3 overs in the second innings and trail India’s score by 42 runs. Pasindu Sooriyabandara and Kamindu Mendis have added more than 100 runs for the third wicket to put Sri Lanka in a match-saving position. Both the batters have gone past the 50-run mark.

Dodda Ganesh wrote on his X account, “What if SL bat well and set a target around 180, with 60 overs to bowl? India will feel the heat. I guess enforcing the follow-on was a decision taken with weather in mind. Or else you don’t do it with just over a 200 lead.”

Meanwhile, India started strongly in the second innings with Mohammed Siraj dismissing Sri Lankan opener Lahiru Udara for only three runs. Ravindra Jadeja then plumbed debutant Kamil Mishara in front of the wickets. But since then, India is searching for their third wicket as Sooriyabandara and Mendis have shown the stomach for a fight.