List Of Teams Who Have Won A Test After Conceding A Follow On In Tests

Sonal Dinusha & Keshara Nuwantha standing like rock vs India on Day 5 | PC- AFP

Sri Lanka may have lost the first Test match at Galle, and then they surrendered against India in their first innings at Colombo (SSC). However, the home team are looking to turn the tables in the second innings after conceding a follow-on.

On the last day of the IND vs SL 2nd Test, Sonal Dinusha and Keshara Nuwantha have become a pain for the visiting side. Not only has the duo added over 100 runs between them for the seventh wicket, but they have denied India a wicket all through the first session. 

Just like in the whole series, the Shubman Gill-led side has failed to find an answer to see Dinusha’s back, as the Sri Lankan number six is batting beautifully on an unbeaten 55. His partner is holding the fort from one end, batting on 46 not out after facing 149 deliveries. 

Although the two courageous Sri Lankan batters have survived a couple of close shaves, they are poised to make history for the Islanders. 

In this article, we will analyse about India's records after enforcing follow-ons in Test cricket history. 

Have India ever lost after enforcing a follow-on?

Team India has been playing Test cricket since 1932, marking 94 years of rich history for the Asian Giants. Notably, they reached a massive landmark by featuring in 600 Test matches in the previous match against Sri Lanka, becoming only the third country to do so.

They have enforced a follow-on 43 times (including the ongoing IND vs SL Test), winning matches on 30 occasions and drawing the Test match on 12 occurrences. However, not even once have India lost a Test after enforcing a follow-on.

(India's numbers while enforcing follow-on in Test cricket)

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That said, if Sri Lanka win the Colombo Test, not only will it be a remarkable achievement, but the Islanders will be able to break India’s streak of 42 matches. 

Have Sri Lanka ever won after conceding a follow-on?

After receiving Test status in 1981, Sri Lanka played its first Test match against England at the Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu Stadium in Colombo on 17 February 1982. Since then, they have featured in 331 Test matches, winning 107 and losing 129, with 94 drawn. 

The Islanders have conceded a follow-on 28 times (including the IND vs SL 2nd Test*), losing on 24 occasions and drawing twice. However, never in their history have Sri Lanka won a Test match after conceding a follow-on. 

(Sri Lanka's number while following on in Test cricket)

In the rich history of Test cricket of nearly 150 years, there have been just four different instances when a team has won after following on in a match.

Notably, England have won twice while conceding a follow-on on 52 occasions. They first achieved it at the SCG back in 1894, before repeating the feat at Headingley in 1981. 

India have also done it, as they won while following on during the famous Eden Gardens Test of 2001, where VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid pulled off a heist. 

The most recent instance involves New Zealand, who won by the barest of margins against England at Basin Reserve in 2003. 

Teams that won a Test after conceding follow-on

1. England won by 10 runs vs Australia at SCG, 1894
2. England won by 18 runs vs Australia at Headingley, 1981
3. India won by 171 runs vs Australia at Eden Gardens, 2001
4. New Zealand won by 1 run vs England at Basin Reserve, 2023

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