India Bowlers Toil as SLC XI Dominate Day 1 Warm-up Match
India’s bowlers were forced to work hard on a batting-friendly surface as the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) XI finished the opening day of the three-day warm-up fixture on 363 for 8 at the Nondescripts Cricket Club Ground in Colombo. The practice match serves as India’s final preparation before the upcoming two-Test series against Sri Lanka, but Day 1 belonged largely to the home side’s batters.
After winning the toss, SLC XI elected to bat first and made full use of the flat pitch. Openers Nishan Madushka and Ravindu Rasantha gave their side a perfect start, putting together a commanding 110-run opening partnership. Both batters looked comfortable against the Indian attack, with Madushka scoring a fluent 66 and Rasantha compiling a patient 71. Their partnership ensured that India spent long periods searching for breakthroughs.
India finally ended the opening stand when Madushka was run out, but the momentum remained with SLC XI. Rasantha continued to anchor the innings alongside Pasindu Sooriyabandara, adding another valuable 61-run partnership before Ravindra Jadeja dismissed Sooriyabandara for 35. Rasantha’s well-crafted innings eventually came to an end when left-arm spinner Manav Suthar deceived him in flight and had him caught in the deep.
Middle-order batter Pavan Rathnayake added quick runs with an aggressive 39, striking sixes off Gurnoor Brar and Saransh Jain before Brar removed him with a short-pitched delivery just before the tea interval.
India’s spin trio provided the majority of the breakthroughs during the final session. Kuldeep Yadav produced an impressive spell by dismissing Ahan Wickramasinghe (31) and trapping Anjala Bandara LBW. However, Sonal Dinusha frustrated the visitors with an unbeaten attacking approach, scoring 52, while adding a rapid 63-run partnership with Ramesh Mendis. Jadeja eventually dismissed Mendis, and Suthar claimed Dinusha soon after completing his half-century.
Among India’s bowlers, Manav Suthar impressed with figures of 2 for 33, while Ravindra Jadeja (2 for 64) and Kuldeep Yadav (2 for 76) also picked up two wickets each. India rotated seven bowlers throughout the day, but they struggled to contain the scoring on a placid surface.
Meanwhile, India captain Shubman Gill did not take the field after suffering an impact injury to his righIndia Cricket, SLC XI, India vs Sri Lanka, Warm-up Match, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Manav Suthar, Shubman Gill, Ravindu Rasantha, Nishan Madushka, Cricket News, Test Series, Colombo, BCCIt ring finger during training, with the team opting for a precautionary approach.