Sri Lanka Cricket XI’s strong start
The Sri Lanka Cricket XI posted a substantial total of 363/8 on Day 1 of their warm-up match against India in Colombo. The host team’s openers, Nishan Madushka and Ravindu Rasantha, established a strong foundation with a century opening stand, putting pressure on India’s pace attack. Madushka scored 66 runs off 65 balls, including 11 fours and a six, before being run out in the 21st over. Rasantha contributed 71 runs, building on the momentum with a 61-run partnership for the second wicket with Pasindu Sooriyabandara, who made 35.
The Sri Lanka Cricket XI’s innings also saw contributions from captain Sonal Dinusha, who scored 52 runs batting at number 8. Dinusha and Ramesh Mendis, who made 32, formed a crucial 63-run stand for the ninth wicket. For India, spinners Ravindra Jadeja (2/64), Kuldeep Yadav (2/76), and Manav Suthar (2/33) each claimed two wickets. Pacer Gurnoor Brar also secured a wicket, finishing with 1/49, while Saransh Jain, Mohammed Siraj, and Prasidh Krishna did not take any wickets.
India’s batting response
India’s innings began with an early setback, losing Yashasvi Jaiswal for a silver duck on the second ball. However, Devdutt Padikkal and KL Rahul initiated a recovery. The pair built an unbeaten 50-run partnership, taking India to 50/1 after 12 overs. Padikkal adopted an aggressive approach, hitting five boundaries, while Rahul provided stability. India added 46 runs in the last 10 overs without losing a wicket, steadily reducing the deficit against Sri Lanka Cricket XI’s declared total.
Rain briefly interrupted play with India at 67/1 after 17 overs, with Padikkal on 44* and Rahul on 23*. The duo continued their strong partnership, reaching an unbeaten 89-run stand as India moved to 89/1 in 21 overs. Padikkal reached a composed half-century off 61 balls, featuring six boundaries. Rahul departed for a steady 40 runs off 67 balls, bowled by Keshara Nuwantha, ending a valuable 96-run partnership with Padikkal for the second wicket.
Following Rahul’s dismissal, Ravindra Jadeja joined Padikkal at the crease. The new partnership added an unbeaten 37 runs off 58 balls, bringing India to 133/2 in 33 overs. Padikkal continued to lead the charge, reaching 87 runs off 115 balls* with 10 fours, while Jadeja remained unbeaten on 12*. The partnership further gained momentum, exceeding 50 runs and taking India to 150/2 after 38 overs.
Devdutt Padikkal capped his impressive knock with a century, reaching the three-figure mark in just 121 balls with 14 boundaries. He then retired out to allow Rishabh Pant an opportunity for batting practice. Pant, promoted to the crease, was dismissed for 2 runs off 5 balls by Ramesh Mendis, offering a catch at mid-off. Mendis also dismissed Dhruv Jurel for just 1 run off 9 balls, leaving India at 174/4 after 44 overs.
Ravindra Jadeja and Manav Suthar then steadied India’s innings. Jadeja brought up his half-century with a sweep for four runs. Suthar also contributed with two boundaries against Ramesh Mendis, lofting one over extra cover and guiding another fine. Jadeja was later retired out after scoring 63 runs off 117 balls, with Kuldeep Yadav joining Suthar at the crease. India went into the tea break on Day 2 at 180 for 5.
Captaincy and team updates
KL Rahul captained India in the warm-up match after regular skipper Shubman Gill was ruled out of Day 1 due to a finger injury. Gill sustained an impact injury to his right ring finger during practice on Thursday. As a precautionary measure, he did not take the field on the opening day. The BCCI Medical Team is monitoring his progress. India’s immediate objective in the warm-up fixture is to provide maximum time in the middle for their batters before the first Test begins on August 15.
The bowling unit, particularly the spinners, showed improvement as the match progressed. Jadeja struck after lunch, bowling Pasindu Sooriyabandara, and Suthar dismissed Rasantha. Brar secured another breakthrough by dismissing Pavan Rathnayake. In the final session, Kuldeep dismissed Ahan Wickramasinghe and Anjala Bandara in quick succession. Jadeja later trapped Ramesh Mendis lbw, and Suthar concluded the day by dismissing Sonal Dinusha, who top-scored after tea with 52 runs.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
