Suthar, India's most impressive bowler from the first Test, leaked runs at over six an over off his first eight overs, which definitely played a part in captain Shubman Gill resorting to defensive fields." As I said, that was the plan.

With regards to Manav Suthar, he is a quality bowler and experiences like these will only help him adapt and understand his game better," said Bahutule. The fast bowlers also showed one-dimensional planning, as the short ball remained their only ploy.

Prasidh Krishna operated with men in catching positions for mistimed hooks and pulls. While he did manage to pick up a wicket with the trap, the period lacked creativity and the bravado that was needed at the hour.

India never looked like constructing a proper spell with sustained pressure from both ends. The only out-of-the-box thought came against Pasindu when Rishabh Pant moved up to the stumps to restrict the batter to the crease.

Two men in catching positions on the leg side seemed a well-thought-out plan, and it planted seeds of doubt in the right-hander, who was playing only his third Test innings. The movement was restricted, fluency was halted, and Suthar capitalised on the batter's itchiness when he pushed one way outside the off stump, catching the batter out of his crease.

Pant completed the formalities and India collectively sighed in relief after dismissing the batter who had made them toil hard in both innings. It was Suthar's second wicket in as many overs, and when Saransh Jain got Niroshan Dickwella early, it was up to the bowlers to wrap up the lower order in a hurry.

Had the heavy rain not arrived early, Sri Lanka would have been in for a tough time because there was a rare period of 36 deliveries when not a single run was scored. After the hold, India managed to apply the choke, even if only briefly, setting up an exciting Day 5.

For India, enforcing the follow-on was a no-brainer, and the entire group reached a collective agreement without debate." We have been keeping an eye on the clouds since rain has been around from Galle.

So we were ready to enforce the follow-on and so were the bowlers. To have the best shot," said Bahutule.

The clouds will continue to attract the attention they have had in the last few weeks, and India would hope the dark, grey formations remain away from the stadium, allowing them to bundle out Sri Lanka early and then chase whatever target is set for them. In Bahutule's words, there is a familiar "thorn in the flesh", Sonal, standing between them and 2-0.

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