India’s bowlers endured a grueling opening day at the Nondescripts Cricket Club Ground in Colombo, as the SLC XI capitalized on a docile surface to post 363 for 8 by stumps. Ahead of the upcoming two-Test series, the tourists utilized seven different bowlers throughout the day. Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav spearheaded the effort with two wickets each, while left-arm spinner Manav Suthar also claimed 2 for 33. Notably, Shubman Gill was absent from the field after sustaining an impact injury to his right ring finger during a training session.
The hosts took full advantage of batting-friendly conditions early on, establishing a dominant 110-run opening partnership. Both Nishan Madushka and Ravindu Rasantha struck half-centuries, frustrating the Indian attack until a run-out finally dismissed Madushka. Rasantha remained a steady presence, anchoring a 61-run stand with Pasindu Sooriyabandara to guide the side to 138 for 1 by the lunch break.
Following the interval, Jadeja provided a breakthrough by bowling Sooriyabandara for 35. Rasantha eventually departed for 71 after being deceived in the air by Suthar and caught in the deep. Pavan Rathnayake injected some urgency into the innings with a quick 39, highlighted by sixes off Gurnoor Brar and Saransh Jain, before Brar dismissed him with a short ball shortly before tea.
Kuldeep Yadav found his rhythm in the final session, removing Ahan Wickramasinghe for 31 and trapping Anjala Bandara LBW to leave the hosts at 284 for 6. A resilient 63-run partnership between Sonal Dinusha and Ramesh Mendis followed, though Jadeja eventually broke the stand by having Mendis caught at slip. Shortly after reaching his half-century, Dinusha fell to Suthar, leaving Keshara Nuwantha and Dilum Sudeera to navigate 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.
Pavan Rathnayake briefly shifted gears with a brisk 39, which saw him launch Gurnoor Brar and Saransh Jain for maximums.
