'He would have definitely finished off Sri Lanka's tail-enders' - S Ramesh rues Bumrah's absence after Colombo draw

India's second Test against Sri Lanka at SSC Colombo from August 23-27, 2026 ended in a draw, denying the away team a series whitewash. The match was part of the 2025-27 ICC World Test Championship cycle, with Shubman Gill captaining India. The result left India with a 1-0 series victory, a margin that drew scrutiny from cricket observers regarding the team's bowling execution on the final day.

Sri Lanka's lower-order batter proved resilient in the match. The No. 8 to 11 batters played 292 deliveries combined, frustrating India's bowling attack. On Day 5, India required just four wickets to secure victory, but the tail-enders put on a gritty show as the match concluded in a draw. Former cricketer Sadagoppan Ramesh examined India's missed opportunity and the absence of key fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah, who had been ruled out on August 3, due to a left knee injury sustained during the T20 World Cup.

"No.8 to 11 played 292 deliveries for Sri Lanka. Leave Dinusha out as he is an amazing batter, but how could you not remove the other tail-enders? Just that shows India bowled poorly. I said before the series that India would definitely miss Bumrah. If India had him on Day 5, he would have definitely finished off Sri Lanka's tail-enders," Ramesh said on his Instagram handle.

Bumrah's absence and India's missed opportunity on Day 5

Bumrah had been ruled out due to the left knee injury, with the BCCI medical team advising him not to rush back his recovery. Auqib Nabi was selected as his replacement in the squad.

Ramesh's assessment highlighted how the absence of India's premier fast bowler impacted the team's ability to finish the match on the final day, particularly against the lower-order batsmen who showed unexpected resilience.

"India missed a golden opportunity for a series whitewash when they just needed four wickets on Day 5. Even a 1-0 series win is disappointing for India as it should have been 2-0. Sonal Dinusha was unbelievable, but India could not remove the three other tail-enders. That makes it a substandard bowling performance," Ramesh said.

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WTC final qualification now out of reach

Ramesh believes that India's chances of reaching the final of the WTC were already slim, but they are all but over after the drawn encounter in Colombo.

"India's WTC final chances were already only slim. But after this match, even those hopes are all over. More than Sri Lanka, it is India's bowling that has to be blamed for that. Now India have to win six out of their remaining seven matches to qualify for the WTC final, which is impossible," Ramesh said.