Mohammad Kaif evaluated the match and expressed worries about skipper Shubman Gill‘s leadership in the later portions of the Test.
Gill captained India for the first time in Tests during the England tour in June-August 2025, and he has since led the team in the West Indies in October 2025, where India won the two-match series 2-0, and against Afghanistan in a one-off match in June 2026.
However, the 0-2 defeat versus South Africa in the middle has been a difficult pill to chew. The Punjab batsman captained the first Test but was sidelined for the second owing to an injury, leaving then-vice-captain Rishabh Pant to lead the team.
India won the series 1-0 against Sri Lanka, but the side returned home disheartened following the drawn second Test in Colombo on August 23-27, 2026. India dominated the first four days and forced Sri Lanka to follow on after declaring at 503 for 9 in 138 overs, with Sri Lanka bowled out for 290 in their opening innings.
However, Sri Lanka’s second-innings resilience, led by Dinusha’s second century, helped them escape with a draw and avoid a whitewash.
Gill lacks competent help in the team.
Gill, according to Kaif, constantly spoke with his bowlers during the match, notably in the final innings when India attempted to force a result.
The former India batsman pointed highlighted tactical discrepancies in India’s approach to Sri Lanka’s lower-order batters, particularly in the latter stages when the squad appeared unsure of its strategy.
Gill has minimal four-day captaincy experience.
Gill’s captaincy record leading up to the Colombo Test revealed a lack of domestic four-day cricket expertise. Despite his vast white-ball experience and expanding international Test exposure, his path to captaincy did not go the typical route through India’s domestic organization.
Kaif detailed the traditional transition paradigm for young captains, highlighting the importance of coaching from experienced players in the early stages of leadership. He proposed that progressive handovers allow captains to improve their abilities and understanding of the role before taking on full authority.
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