Indian bowlers bounce back after poor first session as SLC XI reach 363/8 in warm-up game

New Delhi: Indian bowlers endured a challenging start against Sri Lanka’s emerging batters before-led spinners helped the team make a comeback in the final session as the hosts posted 363/8 on the opening day of the three-day warm-up match at the Nondescripts Cricket Club Ground in Colombo on Friday, August 7.

As the match does not have first-class status, each side will bat for 90 overs on the first two days, and 45 overs each on the final day. Playing a red-ball game after five weeks, the Indian pacers understandably looked rusty, while the spinners, despite taking the bulk of wickets, struggled to create pressure until Kuldeep found his rhythm and started testing the batters with greater consistency.

The opening day mostly belonged to young Sri Lankan batters, who batted well against the Indian attack. Nishan Madushka (66) and Ravindu Rasantha (71) forged a 110-run partnership for the opening wicket before an unfortunate mix-up led to Madushka’s run-out.

Sonal Dinusha scored 52 runs off 71 balls, displaying admirable technique. He was the only batter in the middle-order who read Kuldeep from the wrist and smashed a brilliant straight six.

Indian bowlers make comeback

Kuldeep conceded 29 runs in the five overs of his first spell, but made a good comeback and varied the speed of his deliveries. He first dismissed Ahan Wickramasinghe for 39 with a delivery that got a little extra bounce from the surface. Wickramasinghe tried to sweep it but got the top edge, which was taken by Brar at short-fine leg.

He then removed Anjala Bandara with an arm-ball that skidded to hit his pads. Manav Suthar removed the opener Rasantha for 71, and picked up another wicket with the second new ball, removing Dinusha for 52. At first, Jadeja didn’t attack the stumps, but once the all-rounder started doing that, he managed to pick up two wickets.