IND Vs SL XI Practice Match: India Bowlers Toil As Hosts Plunder 363/8 On Day 1

Indian bowlers were made to work hard as Sri Lanka XI put on a strong batting performance on Day 1 of the warm-up game at the NCC in Colombo. Nishan Madushka, Ravindu Rasantha and Sonal Dinusha scored half-centuries to power the hosts to 363/8. Spinners Manav Suthar, Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav picked two wickets each.

Openers Nishan Fernando and Ravindu Rasantha laid a solid foundation with a 110-run stand. Fernando struck a fluent 66 off 65 balls, taking on Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna with confidence before being run out following a mix-up. Rasantha contributed a patient 71 off 143 deliveries.

India's pace attack lacked rhythm after returning to red-ball cricket following a five-week break, with Gurnoor Brar the only seamer to make a notable impact. The spinners also struggled initially before Kuldeep found his rhythm in the final session.

After conceding 29 runs in his opening five overs, Kuldeep adjusted his pace effectively to finish with 2/76 from 18 overs. He dismissed Ahan Wickramasinghe with a sharply rising delivery and trapped Anjala Bandara with a quicker arm ball.

Manav Suthar impressed with his control, returning figures of 1/30 in 11 overs while deceiving Rasantha in flight. Ravindra Jadeja claimed 2/64 but appeared short of his usual sharpness despite his wickets, while off-spinner Saransh Jain remained wicketless.

Sri Lanka captain Sonal Dinusha underlined his growing reputation with an assured 52 off 72 balls, handling Kuldeep confidently and sharing a valuable 64-run partnership with Ramesh Mendis (32).

India will look for a stronger all-round display on the second day, with head coach Gautam Gambhir and stand-in captain Shubman Gill—who missed the day's play because of an impact injury sustained during training—left with several areas to assess ahead of the Test series.