Colombo, August 7, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
India’s spin trio of Ravindra Jadeja, Manav Suthar and Kuldeep Yadav picked up two wickets each as Sri Lanka Cricket XI finished Day 1 of their three-day warm-up match against India at 363/8 in 90 overs at the Nondescripts Cricket Club Ground in Colombo on Friday.
With KL Rahul leading the Indian side in the absence of regular captain Shubman Gill, who is recovering from a right ring finger injury, the spinners made a significant impact on a flat pitch that offered little assistance to the fast bowlers.
Jadeja returned figures of 2/64, Suthar claimed 2/48, and Kuldeep finished with 2/76 as the surface began to provide turn during the later stages of the day. Tall pacer Gurnoor Brar also contributed with one wicket, while Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna went wicketless.
Sri Lanka Cricket XI, after winning the toss and opting to bat, made a strong start as openers Nishan Madushka and Ravindu Rasantha added a century partnership for the first wicket.
Madushka looked in excellent touch, attacking the Indian pacers and finding boundaries regularly before a communication error between the batters resulted in his run-out for 66.
India’s fast bowlers struggled to extract movement from the pitch, which had only a slight green tinge but offered minimal lateral assistance.
Jadeja, returning to competitive action after the IPL 2026, provided the breakthrough after lunch by dismissing Pasindu Sooriyabandara, who was bowled by a delivery that skidded through quickly.
Suthar then broke another important partnership by tempting Rasantha into an aggressive charge, with the batter dismissed after scoring 71.
Brar impressed with his pace and bounce, eventually removing Pavan Rathnayake shortly before the tea interval.
In the final session, India’s bowlers gained greater control as the pitch started assisting the spinners. Kuldeep dismissed Ahan Wickramasinghe after he mistimed a sweep shot and was caught in the deep by Brar. The left-arm wrist-spinner then trapped Anjala Bandara lbw to put pressure on the Sri Lankan middle order.
Sri Lanka captain Sonal Dinusha responded with a counter-attacking half-century, scoring 52 to help his team cross the 300-run mark.
Jadeja returned to dismiss Ramesh Mendis lbw with a straight delivery, while Suthar ended Dinusha’s innings with a sharp arm ball.
Off-spinner Saransh Jain bowled an extended spell but could not add to India’s wicket tally as the entire bowling attack gained valuable match practice ahead of the opening Test against Sri Lanka, beginning on August 15 in Galle.
However, conceding more than 360 runs on the opening day of a practice match will remain a concern for the Indian team management.
Brief Score:
Sri Lanka Cricket XI 363/8 in 90 overs (Ravindu Rasantha 71, Nishan Madushka 66; Manav Suthar 2/48, Ravindra Jadeja 2/64) against India.
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