India to enforce Follow On against Sri Lanka? Morne Morkel gives clear plan

India are considering taking the follow-on route to win the second Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo, with bowling coach Morne Morkel confirming that the visitors could enforce the follow-on if they dismiss the hosts cheaply on the fourth morning.

At stumps on Day 3, Sri Lanka were 265/8 after 83.4 overs, still 238 runs behind India's first-innings 503/9 declared. The hosts need another 39 runs to avoid the follow-on, with Sonal Dinusha unbeaten on 85 and Lahiru Kumara alongside him.

Rain, rather than the pitch, is the biggest factor behind India's thinking. Only 222 overs have been completed across the first three days, while Day 3 was cut short after just 80.4 overs. With further interruptions possible, India want to maximise the amount of time available to bowl Sri Lanka out and force a result. Morkel made India's intentions clear after the day's play.

"That will be the first prize that we can get those two wickets tomorrow early," the South African said after Day 3.

The India bowling coach explained that the repeated stopping and restarting caused by rain can consume valuable time, making a second Indian innings potentially less attractive than immediately sending Sri Lanka back to bat.

India also have the advantage of a relatively new second new ball, which was only 3.2 overs old when play ended. Prasidh Krishna has been among their key performers, while Manav Suthar has also made an impact as India chipped away at Sri Lanka's middle and lower order.

There is, however, a calculated risk. The Colombo surface has continued to offer good batting conditions, meaning India could face another long bowling stint if Sri Lanka are asked to follow on. India last enforced the follow-on against West Indies in Delhi in 2025 and eventually had to bowl 118.5 overs in the second innings before completing the victory.

This time, though, the weather changes the equation. If India can remove the final two Sri Lankan wickets quickly, the follow-on could give Shubman Gill's side the best chance of forcing a result before rain takes away more playing time.