India made a strong recovery on the second day of their warm-up match against the Sri Lanka Cricket XI in Colombo. After losing early wickets, the Indian batting line-up, led by Devdutt Padikkal and Ravindra Jadeja, stabilised the innings. The match is a crucial preparation for India’s upcoming two-Test series in Sri Lanka.
On day one, the Sri Lanka Cricket XI posted a total of 363/8 after winning the toss and opting to bat. Openers Nishan Madushka and Ravindu Rasantha set a solid foundation with a century stand. Madushka scored 66 runs from 65 balls, including 11 fours and a six, before being run out. Rasantha contributed 71 runs, building a 61-run partnership for the second wicket with Pasindu Sooriyabandara, who made 35. Captain Sonal Dinusha also added a vital 52 runs batting at number eight.
For India, the spin attack proved effective, with Ravindra Jadeja (2/64), Kuldeep Yadav (2/76), and Manav Suthar (2/33) each taking two wickets. Pacer Gurnoor Brar secured 1/49. Shubman Gill, the regular India captain, did not take the field on day one due to a finger injury sustained during practice. KL Rahul captained the team in his absence.
India’s batting recovery
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 strong recovery. They built an unbeaten 67-run partnership before rain interrupted play, with India at 67/1 after 17 overs. Padikkal was fluent, striking six boundaries, while Rahul played a supporting role.
The partnership continued to flourish, reaching 89 runs, with Padikkal bringing up a composed half-century off 61 balls, including six boundaries. Rahul contributed 38 runs during this period. After Rahul’s dismissal for 40 runs off 67 balls, which included five boundaries and one six, Padikkal and Jadeja formed another promising partnership. They added an unbeaten 37 runs off 58 balls, taking India to 133/2 in 33 overs.
Padikkal continued his impressive form, reaching a century off 121 balls with 14 boundaries before retiring out. This allowed Rishabh Pant to gain valuable batting practice. Pant’s stay at the crease was brief, as he was dismissed for 2 runs off 5 balls by Ramesh Mendis. Mendis also removed Dhruv Jurel for 1 run off 9 balls, leaving India at 174/4.
Lower order contributions
Following the quick wickets, Ravindra Jadeja and Manav Suthar stabilised India’s innings. Jadeja reached his half-century with a sweep shot, finding the gap at deep backward square leg for four runs. He was later retired out after scoring 63 runs off 117 balls. Suthar also made a valuable contribution, scoring 41 runs off 90 balls, including five fours and one six, before being given out lbw to Asanka Manoj.
The match serves as India’s only opportunity to assess combinations and batting order in match conditions before the first Test. The bowling unit, particularly the spinners, showed encouragement, but the performance of the pace attack is likely to be reviewed after the Sri Lanka Cricket XI accumulated over 360 runs on the opening day. The first Test of the series is scheduled to begin on August 15 in Galle.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
