Kolkata: More than the Indian team management, their counterpart i.e., the Sri Lankan think tank was caught by surprise to see a greenish wicket on offer for the first test match at Eden Gardens. According to Sri Lanka’s bowling coach Rumesh Ratnayeke, “The surface is grassy. It is surprising to see such a wicket in recent times in the subcontinent.”
The bowling coach of the Sri Lankan team also held the toss responsible to find themselves in the situation they are in.
“Yes good toss to win. Personally I feel it (pitch) might last one and half days or more. Since it’s a new wicket it might be another extra day or so,” said Ratnayeke to the reporters after the post day’s play.
Hailing Suranga Lakmal’s fiery spell, Ratnayake threw caution to the wind by saying that the job is only half done.
“It’s one of the finest I have seen for a long time. Not sure whether it’s the best. The wicket was receptive and helpful. It’s going to be a big challenge. Looking at the wicket, we knew it was going to swing. By saying that job is not finished it has only just started,” Ratnayake told reporters after Lakmal took three wickets in six overs, all of which were maidens.
Lakmal sent KL Rahul (0), Shikhar Dhawan (8) and skipper Virat Kohli (0) back in the hut with India tottering at 17/3 at stumps in a rain-affected match at the Eden Gardens.
Only an hour of play was possible throughout the day with only 11.5 overs bowled.
On being asked what would be a par score like, Ratnayeke said, “I don’t know the par score. India might say 250 but we might say 200. It might differ from whom you are asking.”