Yashasvi Jaiswal scored 61 while Mohammed Siraj smashed four consecutive sixes to finish unbeaten on 32 as India defeated Sri Lanka Cricket XI by six wickets in a warm-up game. Shubman Gill returned with 44, while Ravindra Jadeja and Gurnoor Brar impressed ahead of the Test series.
Yashasvi Jaiswal struck a composed 61 while Mohammed Siraj produced a stunning late assault with the bat as India defeated Sri Lanka Cricket XI by six wickets in their warm-up fixture at the NCC Ground on Sunday.
Chasing 207 after Sri Lanka Cricket XI declared their second innings at 200/6, India completed the target in 45 overs, finishing at 214/4. The victory provided India with valuable match practice and several positive signs ahead of the upcoming two-match Test series against Sri Lanka.
Jaiswal led India’s chase with a fluent half-century after opening the innings alongside regular skipper Shubman Gill. The left-handed opener, who had been dismissed for a duck in the first innings, responded strongly with a confident 61 before retiring hurt to allow other members of the batting unit valuable time in the middle.
Gill also made a successful return to competitive action after missing the first two days of the warm-up game as a precaution following an impact injury to his right ring finger during Thursday’s practice session. The Indian captain looked comfortable during his 44, displaying particularly assured footwork against spin before mistiming a lofted shot off Ramesh Mendis and being caught at fine leg.
Rishabh Pant, who had scored only two runs on Saturday, initially adopted a cautious approach. He managed just six runs from his first 25 deliveries before accelerating. Pant eventually scored 28 from 68 balls, including a boundary and three sixes, before his dismissal.
Dhruv Jurel contributed 12 before edging a short, wide delivery from Vishwa Fernando through to the wicketkeeper. Ravindra Jadeja continued his impressive form by scoring a quick 22, adding to his valuable 63 in India’s first innings. Manav Suthar, Gurnoor Brar and Saransh Jain also received useful batting opportunities.
With India needing 23 runs from the final two overs, Siraj transformed the chase into an extraordinary finish. The fast bowler first launched Sonal Dinusha for a six in the 44th over before taking complete control against Keshara Nuwantha in the final over.
Siraj smashed three successive sixes off Nuwantha, sending the ball to different parts of the ground and bringing India over the line with three deliveries remaining. He finished unbeaten on 32 from only 15 balls, underlining his ability to contribute with the bat as well as the ball.
Earlier, Sri Lanka Cricket XI resumed their second innings after India declared at 357/6. Indian seamers found useful assistance from the overcast conditions and early moisture. Siraj provided the first breakthrough by dismissing opener Ravindu Rasantha with a wobble-seam delivery.
Prasidh Krishna then bowled with aggression, removing Pasindu Sooriyabandara by rattling the middle stump. Gurnoor Brar impressed with his extra bounce and claimed two wickets, including those of Pavan Rathnanayake and captain Sonal Dinusha.
Jadeja also struck twice, dismissing Nipun Dhananjaya among his wickets. Dhananjaya scored 46 before being stumped by Jurel while attempting to attack the spinner. Nishan Madushka was the standout batter for the Sri Lanka XI, scoring 63 from 73 deliveries for his second half-century of the match.
Sri Lanka Cricket XI eventually declared at 200/6 after 45 overs, setting India a challenging but manageable target in the limited time available.
India’s successful chase offered encouragement on both sides of the game. Jaiswal and Gill spent valuable time at the crease, Pant gained additional batting practice, Jadeja maintained his strong form and the bowling unit secured meaningful overs.
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India will now turn their attention to the two-match Test series against Sri Lanka. The first Test is scheduled to begin on August 15 at the historic Galle International Stadium.
Brief Scores: Sri Lanka Cricket XI 363/8 declared and 200/6 declared lost to India 357/6 declared and 214/4 in 45 overs. India won by six wickets. For India, Yashasvi Jaiswal scored 61 and Shubman Gill made 44, while Mohammed Siraj remained unbeaten on 32 from 15 balls.
