India’s bowlers were put to the test on the opening day of their three-day warm-up fixture in Colombo, as the SLC XI capitalized on favorable batting conditions to reach 363 for 8 by stumps. After losing the toss at the Nondescripts Cricket Club Ground, the Indian side utilized seven different bowlers throughout the day. Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav spearheaded the effort with two wickets apiece, while left-arm spinner Manav Suthar also claimed 2 for 33. Notably, Shubman Gill did not participate in the day’s play due to an impact injury sustained on his right ring finger during training.
The hosts established a strong foundation with a 110-run opening partnership between Nishan Madushka and Ravindu Rasantha, both of whom struck half-centuries. India finally secured a breakthrough when Madushka was dismissed via a run-out. Rasantha continued to anchor the innings, pairing with Pasindu Sooriyabandara for a 61-run stand that pushed the hosts to 138 for 1 by the lunch interval.
Following the break, Jadeja struck by bowling Sooriyabandara for 35. Rasantha’s measured knock of 71 ended when he was caught in the deep off the bowling of Suthar. Pavan Rathnayake provided a brief burst of aggression, hitting maximums off Gurnoor Brar and Saransh Jain during his 39-run cameo before falling to a short ball from Brar just before the tea break.
Kuldeep Yadav found his rhythm in the final session, dismissing Ahan Wickramasinghe for 31 and trapping Anjala Bandara LBW, which left the SLC XI at 284 for 6. A resilient 63-run partnership between Sonal Dinusha and Ramesh Mendis briefly stalled India’s progress, until Jadeja removed Mendis at slip. Shortly after reaching his half-century, Dinusha was dismissed by Suthar. Keshara Nuwantha and Dilum Sudeera successfully navigated the final 2.2 overs of the day.
Brief Scores: Sri Lanka Cricket XI 363/8 (Ravindu Rasantha 71, Nishan Madushka 66, Sonal Dinusha 52; Manav Suthar 2-33, Ravindra Jadeja 2-64, Kuldeep Yadav 2-76) vs India.
India’s bowlers enjoyed an extended workout on the opening day of the three-day warm-up game ahead of the two-Test series, with SLC XI reaching 363 for 8 at Stumps.
