India captain Gill rates team effort 10 out of 10 after Colombo Test draw

India captain Shubman Gill rated his team's effort as "10 out of 10" despite a frustrating draw in the second Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo on Thursday, August 27, 2026. The result denied India a 2-0 series sweep, though they had already secured the two-match series 1-0 with a 165-run victory in the first Test at Galle.

India declared their first innings at 503-9 on Day 2, with centuries from Devdutt Padikkal and Dhruv Jurel. Sri Lanka were bowled out for 290 in reply, with Prasidh Krishna taking three wickets, and India enforced the follow-on. However, Sri Lanka staged a remarkable comeback on the final day, led by Sonal Dinusha's unbeaten 133, to finish at 429-9 and secure a draw.

Gill expressed frustration with the slow wicket and Sri Lanka's defensive approach but praised his players' intensity. "The spinners bowled 50-60 overs on the trot for three days. Fielding for three days is not an easy task in these conditions. I would say 10 out of 10 for the effort and the intent," he said. He defended his decision to enforce the follow-on, noting that match decisions are made in the moment and cannot be judged through hindsight. "You take the best decision you can in the...