Former Indian Test batter Cheteshwar Pujara questioned Shubman Gill’s captaincy on the fourth day of the second Test match against Sri Lanka at Colombo on Wednesday. Pujara reckons Gill went defensive too early when Kusal Mendis and Pasindu Sooriyabandara were batting.

The pair added 115 runs off 170 balls for the third wicket to keep Indian bowlers at bay. Gill didn’t have close-in fielders and had a spread field, which Pujara didn’t like.

Earlier, Sri Lanka was asked to follow-on after they were skittled out for 290 in the first innings. However, the hosts have shown the resistance in the second innings.

Cheteshwar Pujara said on Cricinfo, “If you look at the session between lunch and tea, Shubman was tested as a captain. He went defensive too early. That is where he will have to learn going forward. India were a little shocked with Sri Lanka’s counter-attack. This is where you need to show a little more courage. Encourage your bowlers to still pick up wickets rather than go too defensive.”

Pujara is hopeful that Gill will learn his lessons going forward in his captaincy career.

“Against quality sides, this strategy may not work. I am sure he will learn his lessons going forward,” Pujara added.

The former Indian number three added that India decided to enforce the follow-on because of the Colombo’s weather.

“I am sure they must have spoken to the ground staff. There was some rain around. The main reason of them enforcing the follow-on was the rain. If there wasn’t any rain around, I think India would have preferred to bat. But, because they picked up those wickets, the decision does not seem wrong as of now.”

Sri Lanka are currently 284-6 and they are leading by 71 runs.