The first Test of the 3 match series between Sri Lanka and India is being played at the Galle in Sri Lanka.
After winning the toss and batting first against the hosts, Team India piled up a big total of 600 with the help of Shikhar Dhawan and Cheteshwar Pujara’s centuries.
Also, Indian bowlers did a commendable job and dismissed the Sri Lankan team for 291. And now everyone thought that Indian captain Virat Kohli will impose a follow-on to the opponents team but it didn’t happen like past few instances.
Here are the four instances in Kohli’s captaincy when he had the option to enforce follow-on but he didn’t:
The other 2 instances when he chose to enforce the follow-on, the match ended in a draw against Bangladesh due of rain and the second time India won against West Indies by an innings.
But on Friday, when Kohli again avoided follow-on against Sri Lanka, then it made everyone think why Team India is not giving follow-on to their opponents even after a lead of huge runs.
Well, it may be the aggressive mindset of the Indian Captain that he does not likes to enforce a ‘Follow on’.
Others reasons:
1.) No team wants to bat in the fourth innings on a fifth-day wicket. The pitch supports the bowlers heavily on the last day and it really becomes difficult to chase even 150. Virat does not want to take a risk and give the opposition any chance of coming back in the game. Though the probability of the opposition to set a big target is very less if a follow on is enforced but even 150–200 is enough and it’s not a risk worth taking.
2.) The bowlers get a bit of break when the team bats again especially considering the fact the players are playing too much cricket nowadays.
3.) There is no the need of hurrying up in a Test match. It is played for 5 days or 15 sessions. A win is a win, even if you win it on the fourth day or in the fifth day last season.
4.) The probability of losing from setting a target of 450+ is very less compared to the probability of losing from a follow on.
Therefore, only if the weather forecast is bad then enforcing the follow on is the best option.
