Kirsten sees progress in Sri Lanka’s Test side despite India defeat

Sri Lanka head coach Gary Kirsten believes his side is beginning to develop greater clarity and consistency in Test cricket, despite remaining without a victory since his appointment.

Sri Lanka suffered a 165-run defeat against India in Galle, leaving Kirsten with two losses from three Tests in charge. However, the coach remains optimistic that a more regular Test schedule can help the team establish itself in the format.

Sri Lanka had gone 14 months without playing a home Test and endured a 12-month gap between Tests before their tour of the Caribbean in June. The lack of regular red-ball cricket, Kirsten suggested, has made it difficult for players to develop the habits required to succeed over five days."This is our third Test in the space of a couple of months, and I can see already the team developing."

Kirsten believes the immediate priority is turning that gradual progress into consistent performances. He highlighted the need for Sri Lanka to become capable of taking 20 wickets regularly, both through their seamers and spin attack.

The Galle defeat exposed weaknesses with the bat. Sri Lanka were reduced to 90 for 5 in their first innings and slipped to 47 for 4 in the second, allowing India to establish a commanding first-innings lead of 178.

"I think where we probably lost the game was losing wickets up front in both innings," Kirsten said. "You can't afford that in Test cricket, especially when the opposition has hit 460-odd."

The bowling unit, meanwhile, earned praise from the coach. Sri Lanka dismissed India for 193 in the second innings, taking all ten wickets in fewer than 50 overs.

"I thought we did a brilliant job with the ball yesterday," Kirsten said, adding that a few missed chances could have made the contest even more competitive.

The upcoming schedule offers Sri Lanka an opportunity to build momentum. After the second Test against India in Colombo, they are scheduled to tour Pakistan and New Zealand later this year before hosting South Africa for a two-Test series early next year.

Kirsten believes the increased workload could be particularly valuable for a side that has had limited exposure to Test cricket.

"At least now we've got another six to go within the next six months or so," he said. "It's great to get into the Test match game a little bit and then to understand how to score runs and bat for long periods of time and have an influence on a game over a long period of time."

For Kirsten, the challenge now is to turn the emerging structure within the squad into results. Sri Lanka may still be searching for their first Test win under him, but a busier calendar could provide the consistency needed to accelerate their development.

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