India thump Sri Lanka Cricket XI in Colombo warm-up; Siraj’s triple-six blitz steals the show
Sri Lanka Cricket XI declared their second innings at 200 for six, setting India a target of 207 after the opening day-and-a-half had seen the hosts post 363 for eight declared.
Openers Yashasvi Jaiswal (61 off 46) and Shubman Gill (44) put on a 105-run stand to set the tone, with Jaiswal retiring after his half-century to give others time in the middle. Dhruv Jurel (17) and Rishabh Pant (28) chipped in before India slipped to 155 for three, but the required rate was never a concern.
The exclamation point came from the unlikeliest source. With 16 needed off the final over, Siraj smashed three consecutive sixes over deep midwicket off spinner Keshara Nuwantha to finish unbeaten on 32 off 15 balls — his innings laced with four sixes and a boundary. India reached 214 for four with three balls to spare.
Earlier, Devdutt Padikkal’s unbeaten 142 and Ravindra Jadeja’s 63 anchored India’s reply of 357 for six declared, with Gurnoor Brar adding 36 not out off 18 balls, including four sixes in the final over of Day 2. Jadeja (2 wickets) and Brar (2) led the attack in the second innings, while opener Nishan Madushka’s 63 was the highlight of Sri Lanka XI’s declaration.
The match gave India valuable answers ahead of the first Test in Galle, starting August 15 — most notably Gill’s return to form following a finger injury, Jaiswal’s fluent touch, and a productive outing for young quick Brar. A surprise visit from Sri Lanka head coach Gary Kirsten added an intriguing subplot.
India lead the two-match series, which shifts to the Pallekele/Galle leg, with the sides also slated for limited-overs fixtures later in the tour.
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