India opener Dhawan ruled out of remaining Sri Lanka tests

India captain Virat Kohli, whose team lost the first Test, said he was delighted to be playing in Sangakkara’s final match.

Shastri felt that both Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene – two stalwarts of Sri Lanka cricket -didn’t get due credit despite their fabulous record.

The Indian team, which checked into Colombo on Sunday, sent Dhawan for an MRI test on Monday, where the extent of the injury was revealed. “Herath was outstanding too”, said Kohli.

“We did not counter what was being thrown at us”. We don’t want batsmen to settle by keep shuffling between spinners. “Definitely it’s an area of improvement”, he added.

“The example of the Sri Lankans in the second innings is what they should be showing to the Indian team. They just got to start believing in themselves”, he said.

Sri Lanka produced a magnificent performance to win the first Test and one more win would seal the series for them.

“In fact, the injury was the reason that Dhawan could not play his natural game on the fourth morning as he was stuck on his overnight score for 36 balls, not being able to pack a punch in his drives”.

The way the Indian battingline up had collapsed in the second innings at Galle, especially against the experienced Rangana Herath shows the visitors will have a tough time and that in turn has created more doubts. We were able to take 20 wickets which is important.

“It was a case of us not playing fearless cricket and not going out there and being positive”. We were down and out for three and a half days. Should Pujara play as opener, it could give out-of-sorts Rohit Sharma another lifeline. “People whom you think can be match winners for you”. “The need of the hour was to take calculated risk when you are chasing a small total”, Kohli told reporters. “So it was a case of giving another batsman a chance”.

Tharindu Kaushal chipped in with three wickets and, after the contest, skipper Mathews praised the way his men fought back, with a special mention for Chandimal’s effort.

“I am not shocked. We will keep attacking him”, said Mishra after practice at the P Sara Oval here today.