Indian bowlers stage late recovery as SLC XI reach 363/8 in warm-up clash

India team against Sri Lanka (Pic: BCCI)

The Indian bowling attack endured a tough opening spell against Sri Lanka's emerging batting talent before a spin-led fightback, spearheaded by Kuldeep Yadav, restricted SLC XI to 363 for 8 on the opening day of their three-day warm-up match in Colombo on Friday.

As it is a friendly game, both teams will bat 90 overs on the first two days and split 45 overs each on the final day. Nonetheless, head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Shubman Gill, who sat out the day after suffering an impact injury in training, will have plenty to think about.

Playing red-ball cricket for the first time in five weeks, the pacers struggled for rhythm, while off-spinner Saransh Jain (0/54 in 11 overs) found it difficult to make an impact. Ravindra Jadeja picked up two wickets (2/64 in 15 overs) despite looking rusty, leaving Kuldeep (2/76 in 18 overs) and Manav Suthar (1/30 in 11 overs) as the standout slow bowlers.

Sri Lanka's emerging batters test India's attack

The day largely belonged to the young home batters on a flat Nondescripts Cricket Club surface that only began offering assistance to Kuldeep late in the evening.

Opener Nishan Fernando set the tone with a brisk 66 off 65 balls, comfortably taking on senior Indian pacers Mohammed Siraj (0/44) and Prasidh Krishna (0/32). Gurnoor Brar (1/49) proved to be the most threatening seam option. Fernando shared a 110-run opening stand with Ravindu Rasantha (71) before a mix-up ended his innings.

Later, left-handed batter Sonal Dinusha scored 52 off 72 balls, showing excellent technique to pick Kuldeep's variations and launching a straight six. Dinusha combined with Ramesh Mendis (32) for a swift 64-run seventh-wicket partnership, relying heavily on the slog-sweep.

India found success late as Kuldeep bowled well, dismissing Ahan Wickramasinghe via a top-edge sweep and trapping Anjala Bandara with a brilliant delivery. Suthar maintained disciplined control, deceiving Rasantha in flight before later bowling Dinusha with the second new ball.

India will face Sri Lanka in a two-match Test series starting on August 15 with a WTC final place on the line.

(With inputs from PTI)