We bowled to Pujara's strengths, says SL coach Pothas

Sri Lanka's interim coach Nic Pothas is optimistic of bouncing back in the Test match , after an unbeaten 211-run partnership between Pujara and Rahane put India in charge on day one.

Nic Pothas: 'This is day one and it’s Test match cricket. It’s about how you bounce back.'

Sri Lanka’s interim coach Nic Pothas felt that the host attack did not bowl well on the first day of the second Test. “We were a fraction short. The wicket is very slow and once the ball becomes soft, you don’t have many weapons. We know (Cheteshwar) Pujara scores in the leg-side. We were guilty of bowling to his strengths,” Pothas told the media here on Thursday.

READ: India on top after serene hundreds from Pujara, Rahane

Elaborating further, Pothas said: “(Ajinkya) Rahane played well. We just released the pressure a little bit. That was the turning point. India got momentum back. This is day one and it’s Test match cricket. It’s about how you bounce back.”

Asked about Nuwan Pradeep, who could not complete his 18th over, Pothas replied: “The physio said that Pradeep is having bit of muscle tightness. He is in treatment now. We will get a proper assessment in the morning.”