Building on their 111-run first-innings lead, India were in trouble at 21 for three at stumps on Day 3. The Indian bowling though, ably led by Ishant Sharma's five-wicket haul, did manage to bundle out Lanka for 201 and Gavaskar believes the crucial lead will benefit the visitors.
"I think they are in reasonably good position despite losing three wickets in the second innings. The lead that they took is going to be very handy indeed. Even if they get dismissed for another 125-150 runs, that will still be a good enough lead to get the wickets. But of course, the weather is going to be a good question," Gavaskar told NDTV.
Responding to India's 312, Sri Lanka were in tatters at 47 for six, when debatant wicketkeeper-batsman Kusal Perera (55) and Rangana Herath (49) stitched a 79-run seventh-wicket partnership to give the hosts some respectability. Even when many believes that the Indian bowlers left Lanka on the hook, Gavaskar defended the bowling.
"If you see Sri Lanka also had the same problem in dismissing Amit Mishra and Cheteshwar Pujara. See what tends to happen is that you are used bowling in a certain way, line and length and when you are attacked, like when Kusal Perera did you try and change your line and length and that's what happens and it plays in the hands of the batsmen," said Gavaskar.
"Yes, he should, because he has now been playing for the last 8 or 9 years. The most experienced Test player in the world, so he has to be the leader of the pack," he said on being asked about Ishant leading the pace attack.