Colombo: India successfully concluded their three-day warm-up match against Sri Lanka Cricket XI in a thrilling last-over burst, as Mohammed Siraj’s stunning three consecutive sixes sealed the chase in emphatic fashion in the final session on Sunday, 9 August, at the Nondescripts Cricket Club Ground in Colombo.
Sri Lanka declared their innings at 200/6 on the final day, trailing by six runs. India, who needed 207 runs to win, got off to a positive start as Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal’s partnership set the tone early. However, as the innings progressed, the match became increasingly thrilling and challenging. With India needing 16 runs from the final over, Mohammed Siraj produced a stunning late burst, smashing 32 off just 15 balls, including three consecutive sixes, to seal a convincing six-wicket victory for India.
The Indian Test captain, Shubman Gill, returned to action after missing the opening two days of the match due to a finger injury.
Sri Lanka declared their second innings at 200/6 in 45 overs. They began their second innings with an early setback, losing opener Ravindu Rasantha for 8 inside the first five overs, LBW to Siraj. Nishan Madushka and Pavan Rathnayake then built a valuable 51-run partnership off 64 balls, steadying the innings before Gurnoor Brar eventually broke the partnership by dismissing Rathnayake for 16 off 32 balls. Nishan Madushka scored another impressive half-century after also reaching the milestone in the first innings. He top-scored with a fluent 63 off 73 balls before retiring hurt, Nipun Dhananjaya’s 46 and Anjala Bandara’s 35 also made valuable contributions to Sri Lanka’s total. Ravindra Jadeja and Gurnoor Brar claimed two wickets each. Jadeja picked up the two crucial wickets of Nipun Dhananjaya and Anjala Bandara, while Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna took one wicket apiece.
With a target of 207 to win, India made a flying start, setting the tone early as Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill stitched together a valuable 105-run opening partnership. Jaiswal played a brilliant, quick-fire knock of 61 off 46 balls, while returning to action after his injury, Gill made a solid contribution of 44 off 54 balls before being dismissed by Keshara Nuwantha, bringing the valuable partnership to an end. Jaiswal retired hurt after completing his half-century. Dhruv Jurel came in and contributed 17 off 20 balls before being dismissed by Vishwa Fernando. Rishabh Pant then played a patient and composed innings of 28 off 68 balls before eventually being dismissed. Despite losing a few wickets in the middle order, India remained comfortably ahead of the required run rate. However, the match became increasingly thrilling when India needed 16 runs to win from the final over. Mohammed Siraj produced a remarkable performance with the bat, smashing 32 runs off just 15 balls.
Nuwantha bowled the final over of the day, and Siraj unleashed three stunning consecutive sixes to finish the chase in emphatic fashion. With that, India reached 214/4 in 45 overs to chase down the target and secure a convincing six-wicket victory.
India won the warm-up game by six wickets, giving the team valuable match practice ahead of the Test series. India will now take on Sri Lanka in the first Test of the two-match series, starting on August 15 in Galle. The second and final Test will begin on August 23 in Colombo.
