India vs Sri Lanka - (Source: AFP)
On Wednesday, August 26, the 2nd Test between India and Sri Lanka took a drastic turn as the hosts failed to avoid the follow-on. Before Day 4 began, the Island Nation needed 39 runs to avoid the follow-on with just two wickets in hand.
Sri Lanka came close but fell 16 runs short of the target, which allowed India to enforce the follow-on and ask Sri Lanka to bat again. Notably, it was the 5th time since the WTC introduction that the Shubman Gill-led side has enforced a follow-on.
No other team has enforced more follow-ons than India since the start of the prestigious red-ball event in 2019. Meanwhile, this article will shed light on all the moments in Test cricket since 2019 when India have enforced the follow-on.
1. India vs South Africa (Pune, 2019)
India’s first follow-on enforcement came against South Africa during the 2019 home Test series. The two teams locked horns for the 2nd Test in Pune on October 10. In that match, India, batting first, put 601/5 on the board, courtesy of Virat Kohli’s 254 run knock, which was also his best-ever Test knock.
In reply, the Proteas tumbled for just 275 runs as Ravichandran Ashwin and Umesh Yadav were the pick of the bowlers for their 4-wicket haul and 3-wicket haul. South Africa, batting 2nd, collapsed for 189 runs, resulting in India’s win by an innings and 137 runs.
2. India vs South Africa (Ranchi, 2019)
India achieved a rare feat as they also enforced the follow-on in the 3rd Test against South Africa, which was played in Ranchi. In that match, India, batting first, declared the innings after putting 497 runs on the board. This time, Rohit Sharma stole the limelight with a double-hundred.
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In reply, a collective bowling effort restricted South Africa to just 162 runs, resulting in a follow-on. In the 2nd innings, The Proteas could only manage to add 133 runs to the total, courtesy of 3-wicket haul from Mohammed Shami.
India registered a win by an innings and 202 runs, their biggest win against South Africa in the history of the sport.
3. India vs Sri Lanka — Mohali, 2022
India's first-ever follow-on against Sri Lanka in WTC cycle came in 2022 when the Island Nation toured India for a Test series. During the Mohali Test, India, batting first, put 574 runs on the board.
Ravindra Jadeja and R Ashwin were the heroes of that match. Jaddu scored unbeaten 175, while Ashwin scored 61 runs. In reply, Jadeja spun his magic with the ball and a five-wicket haul helped India restrict Sri Lanka to 174 runs. Batting again, the Island Nation collapsed for 178 runs, resulting in India's win by an innings and 222 runs.
Ravindra Jadeja picked up a four-wicket haul and won the player of the match award for his performance.
4. India vs West Indies — Delhi, 2025
India's last follow-on in WTC cycle before the ongoing Sri Lanka Test came in 2025 when India hosted West Indies in Delhi for the 2nd Test of the 2-match series.
India, batting first, declared the innings on 518/5, courtesy of Yashasvi Jaiswal's 175-run knock and Shubman Gill's century. The Caribbean side failed to read Kuldeep Yadav's magic and a five-wicket haul from the left-arm spinner reduced the Windies to 248 runs.
West Indies, batting second, played well and put 390 runs on the board, giving a small 124 run target to India. The Shubman Gill-led side had a shaky start and lost three wickets. However, India won the match by 7 wickets.
5. India vs Sri Lanka - Colombo
India's latest follow-on enforcement has come against Sri Lanka in Colombo. It is the first time in WTC history that India have enforced a follow-on overseas soil. Talking about the ongoing match, The Shubman Gill-led side declared for 503/9, following a Dhruv Jurel masterclass.
In reply, the hosts tumbled for 290 runs, falling 16 runs short to avoid the follow-on.
Also Read: List Of Teams That Have Won A Test Match After Follow-On, Ft. India
