“Virat Kohli Could Have Changed the Result” – Mohammed Kaif

India’s bowlers struggled to take the four wickets required on the final day, forcing the second Test against Sri Lanka to end in a draw. The result also affected India’s percentage in the World Test Championship. Former India cricketer Mohammed Kaif criticised captain Shubman Gill’s tactics, particularly India’s inability to dismiss Sri Lankan batter Sonal Dinusha. Kaif suggested that Virat Kohli’s presence could have made a difference, given his intensity and ability to keep teammates motivated during difficult phases.

Kaif said Test cricket demands sustained pressure and constant alertness, and felt India appeared to assume that wickets would eventually come because the ball was turning. He pointed out that Dinusha remained composed despite facing India’s attack and was not subjected to enough sustained psychological pressure. According to Kaif, Indian players focused more on lower-order batters such as Lahiru Kumara and Prabath Jayasuriya, while Dinusha continued to bat confidently. He recalled how experienced players such as Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Ravichandran Ashwin and MS Dhoni often created pressure simply through their presence and interaction with opponents. Kaif felt India missed that element in the drawn Test.