Now Reading: Kuldeep leads fightback as Sri Lanka XI post 363/8 on Day 1
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Kuldeep leads fightback as Sri Lanka XI post 363/8 on Day 1
Sri Lanka XI reached 363/8 on Day 1 of the warm-up match in Colombo, after openers Nishan Fernando (66 off 65) and Ravindu Rasantha (71 off 143) put on 110 runs against…
The Story in Brief
Sri Lanka XI reached 363/8 on Day 1 of the warm-up match in Colombo, after openers Nishan Fernando (66 off 65) and Ravindu Rasantha (71 off 143) put on 110 runs against a rusty Indian attack. Pacers Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, and Gurnoor Brar struggled early, with Brar the only seamer to take a wicket. Kuldeep Yadav (2/76) and Manav Suthar (1/30) led a recovery in the final session, while Ravindra Jadeja (2/64) looked out of sync.
Coach Gautam Gambhir and stand-in captain Shubman Gill, who missed the game due to a training injury, have much to ponder. Off-spinner Saransh Jain went for 0/54 in 11 overs. The match lacks first-class status: teams bat 90 overs on Days 1 and 2, and 45 on Day 3.
The Indian Opinion
Talk of a green attack hiding flaws is lazy. India's bowlers were rusty after five weeks off, but Kuldeep and Suthar showed control where pacers Siraj and Prasidh lacked penetration. Gambhir and Gill have real work: Jadeja's two wickets masked an off-rhythm spell. The real test comes on Day 2, can the Indian batters, without first-class status to hide behind, chase or consolidate against a Sri Lankan side that looks increasingly confident? The answer will tell if this attack, not its reputation, is ready.
Sources (3): sports.ndtv.com, sports.ndtv.com (2), thehindu.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the 3 sources linked above.
Updated: this story now draws on 3 sources.
