Sri Lankan head coach Nic Pothas feels Ajinkya Rahane's innings was the turning point of the day

Sri Lankan cricket is going through a very rough and barren phase. The ‘soul-less’ team suffered a heavy defeat against the Men in Blue in the first Test at Galle. Now, they might have to deal with another drubbing in the second Test at Colombo. While Shikhar Dhawan was the game changer in the first Test, Ajinkya Rahane has obliged the Indian fans by playing the crucial role in this game which underwent today.

After winning the toss, Virat Kohli decided to bat and at the end of the day’s play, Team India is in a comfortable position with 344 runs with the loss of just three wickets. Rahane played a classic knock of 103. He is still at the crease alongside Cheteshwar Pujara who has also completed his century. Interim coach of Sri Lanka Nic Pothas feels Rahane’s knock changed the complexion of the day’s play.

“Rahane came and played very well. He was very positive which is what you expect. From that point onwards, we didn’t perhaps execute as well as we had done up to that point. We just released the pressure a little bit. That was the turning session. India got the momentum back,” said Pothas.

“We were probably a fraction short on that wicket. The wicket is very slow and once the ball becomes you don’t have many weapons as compared to harder ball. We were a bit short. We know Pujara scores in the leg-side. That’s what he has done all his career. We were little bit guilty in not getting the ball into other areas and bowling to his (Rahane) strengths. But as I said that’s Test match cricket and that’s why he is a quality cricketer,” he further added.

Pothas is not disappointed

The coach is not disappointed with his team. He stated that one must understand that this Lankan team isn’t an experienced one and they are playing the ‘numero uno’ side. “I am never disappointed in my team. We used to take positive options. We are a young team and we are playing the number one ranked team in the world. It’s how you execute and keep coming back in the next few months and next few years and that’s what is going to make this team even better,” he commented.

Talking about pacer Nuwan Pradeep’s condition, he stated, “The physio said that Pradeep is having a bit of muscle tightness. He is in treatment now. Tomorrow morning, we will get a proper assessment,”