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The India National Cricket Team might have lost the second and final Test, but the skipper, Shubman Gill, managed to add a rare moment to his captaincy journey against Sri Lanka in Colombo.
Gill became the first India National Cricket Team captain in 18 years to bowl in a Test match in Sri Lanka at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo on Thursday, August 27. Earlier, Shubman Gill confident of playing WTC final after series win vs Sri Lanka.
Shubman Gill makes history as India captain bowls in Sri Lanka after 18 years
Actually, Shubman Gill decided to take the ball during Sri Lanka’s second innings when India was desperate to break a stubborn lower-order partnership between Asitha Fernando and Sonal Dinusha. As the hosts were fighting hard to save the match, Gill wanted to finish the game as soon as possible.
After 18 long years, an Indian captain is bowling in a Test match in Sri Lanka!
— 𝑺𝒉𝒆𝒃𝒂𝒔 (@Shebas_10dulkar) August 27, 2026
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However, Gill did not get the perfect start with the ball. Sonal Dinusha smashed a six off his very first delivery. The Sri Lankan batter went on to score a brilliant century and became one of the biggest reasons behind India’s frustration in the second Test.
The right-hander bowled only two overs, giving away eight runs without taking a wicket. With this, Gill became the first India captain in 18 years to bowl in a Test match in Sri Lanka. The last Indian captain to bowl in a Test on Sri Lankan soil was the legendary Anil Kumble during the 2008 tour.
Well, Sri Lanka’s lower-order batters continued their strong resistance and successfully forced a draw. As a result, India had to settle for a 1-0 series victory in Sri Lanka. Amid this, Devdutt Padikkal opens up after winning Player of the Series award against Sri Lanka.
Shubman Gill defends follow-on call after Sri Lanka deny India 2-0 series sweep
Meanwhile, Shubman Gill has backed India’s decision to enforce the follow-on in Colombo, despite Sri Lanka escaping with a draw on Thursday. India had taken a strong 213-run first-innings lead and believed they could bowl Sri Lanka out with enough time left.
However, Sonal Dinusha and Keshara Nuwantha added 112 runs for the seventh wicket and denied the touring side a victory in Colombo. The Indian bowlers became tired after already bowling 89.4 overs, while Sri Lanka batted for 150 overs in their second innings.
Sri Lanka eventually reached 429/9, with Dinusha unbeaten on 133 when they declared on the final day. The hosts became only the eighth team in Test history to bat for 150 overs in the fourth innings. The match ended in a draw, denying India a 2-0 series sweep.
'Don't think the follow-on backfired': Shubman Gill on follow-on
Shubman Gill said at the post-match press conference in Colombo: “I don't think the follow-on backfired; we fielded for over 250 overs. We were anticipating rain and wanted to take that chance. Had we not taken it and had it rained, you would have asked why there was no follow-on. Draws are not hurting like a defeat… Situation-wise, a draw was a credit to them; we hoped for a win, so disappointing.”
After the Sri Lanka tour, India will now shift focus to white-ball cricket, as they will face Afghanistan in the three-match T20I series, followed by an ODI series against the West Indies.
