Kirsten pleased with Sri Lanka's attitude after Galle Test

Gary Kirsten said he was pleased with Sri Lanka’s attitude after the IND vs SL first Test in Galle on Wednesday, following his side’s effort to stretch the match into a fifth day.

Kirsten, who was the Indian coach when M.S. Dhoni’s men won the 2011 World Cup at Sri Lanka’s expense, is now described in the report as the guiding force for the men from the Emerald Isle, a career path the article says has seen him traverse diverse roles. He spoke to the media on Wednesday about his players’ response during the Test.

“From being 90 for five on the third day and to take the Test into the fifth day was pleasing. There was a bit of fight and we were keen to stay in the Test. I was pleased with the attitude of the team but the way we batted, especially our top order, that probably cost us the match,” summed up Kirsten while talking to the media on Wednesday.

Kirsten singled out two opposition performers by name. “Padikkal played one of the better Test match innings that I have seen. He did not play too aggressively, just played within himself and batted for a long period and it was a good lesson for other batters. Manav has fantastic talent and he is a great spinner in Tests.”

Kirsten also described the pitch as a 'good one'.

The report was published on August 19, 2026 at 04:07 pm IST and includes a Galle file picture of Gary Kirsten credited to Deepak K.R.