Chandimal rues first-innings capitulation

Dinesh Chandimal conceded that a poor first innings undid the host in the second Test against India.

“We batted so well in the second innings and so poorly in the first innings. The first innings cost us heavily,” the Sri Lanka captain told reporters here on Sunday.

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The fight in the second innings enthused Chandimal. “It was a fine effort by Kusal Mendis and Dimuth Karunaratne. I am pleased with the way we batted,” the host skipper said and added that using the sweep was a strategic plan. “Everyone agreed that the way forward was by using the sweep and reverse sweep and we executed that in the second innings.”

Chandimal mentioned that seamer Nuwan Pradeep, who suffered a hamstring tear, ‘will be out for two or three weeks’.