Jadeja, Suthar, Kuldeep take 2 wickets each as SLC XI post 363/8 on Day 1
Synopsis
India's spinners did the bulk of the damage but SLC XI still piled up 363/8 on Day 1 of the Colombo warm-up — a mixed signal ahead of the Galle Test. Jadeja's first outing since IPL 2026 and Suthar's control stood out, but the seamers' toothlessness on a flat track and a 360-plus concession will keep the team management watchful.
Key Takeaways
Sri Lanka Cricket XI closed Day 1 at 363/8 in 90 overs at the Nondescripts Cricket Club , Colombo, on 7 August .
Ravindra Jadeja (2-64), Manav Suthar (2-48), and Kuldeep Yadav (2-76) each took two wickets; Gurnoor Brar added one.
Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna went wicketless on a flat, seamer-unfriendly surface.
Openers Nishan Madushka (66) and Ravindu Rasantha (71) shared a century opening stand for the hosts.
KL Rahul is leading India in the absence of injured captain Shubman Gill (right ring finger).
The first Test between India and Sri Lanka begins on 15 August in Galle .
Ravindra Jadeja, Manav Suthar, and Kuldeep Yadav claimed two wickets apiece as Sri Lanka Cricket XI closed Day 1 of their three-day warm-up fixture at 363/8 in 90 overs at the Nondescripts Cricket Club ground in Colombo on 7 August. With regular captain Shubman Gill sidelined by a right ring finger injury, KL Rahul led India in the practice match ahead of the Test series opener against Sri Lanka.
Spin Trio Leads India's Bowling Effort
On a flat surface that offered little assistance to the seamers, India's spinners proved the most effective weapon. Jadeja returned figures of 2 for 64, Suthar finished with 2 for 48, and Kuldeep ended on 2 for 76. Tall pacer Gurnoor Brar chipped in with one wicket, while Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna went wicketless on a benign track with a faint green tinge that provided minimal lateral movement.
Hosts Dominate Morning Session
Electing to bat after winning the toss, Sri Lanka Cricket XI made a flying start. Openers Nishan Madushka and Ravindu Rasantha put on a century partnership, with Madushka looking in commanding touch before a run-out miscommunication ended his innings at 66. Siraj and Krishna lacked early discipline, allowing the hosts to build momentum through the morning session.
Spinners Tighten Grip in Afternoon and Evening
Jadeja, playing his first competitive outing since IPL 2026, broke the second-wicket stand after lunch by castling Pasindu Sooriyabandara with a delivery that skidded sharply through the gate. Suthar then used flight and turn to draw Rasantha — who made 71 — into a reckless charge, ending another threatening partnership. Brar removed Pavan Rathnanayake just before tea with his pace and bounce.
In the evening session, Kuldeep dismissed Ahan Wickramasinghe via a top-edged sweep caught at deep square leg by Brar, before deceiving Anjala Bandara lbw to dismantle Sri Lanka's middle order. Captain Sonal Dinusha counter-attacked with a fluent 52 to push the hosts past 300, but Jadeja trapped Ramesh Mendis lbw before Suthar ended Dinusha's knock with a sharp arm ball.
India's Concerns Heading Into Galle Test
Off-spinner Saransh Jain bowled a long, wicketless spell in the final session. While the warm-up gave India's entire bowling unit valuable match practice ahead of the first Test against Sri Lanka beginning 15 August in Galle, conceding more than 360 runs on Day 1 of a practice game will be a point of concern for the management.
Brief Scores: Sri Lanka Cricket XI 363/8 in 90 overs (Ravindu Rasantha 71, Nishan Madushka 66; Manav Suthar 2-33, Ravindra Jadeja 2-64) vs India.
Point of View
But the bigger story is the seamers. Siraj and Krishna going wicketless on a surface that had even a faint green tinge is a quiet alarm — if Galle's first-day pitch offers similar conditions, India could be exposed. Jadeja's return from IPL 2026 looked assured, and Suthar's control is a genuine asset, but a 363-concession in a practice fixture suggests the bowling unit is still finding its rhythm at the worst possible time.
NationPress
7 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened on Day 1 of India's warm-up match against SLC XI in Colombo?
Sri Lanka Cricket XI scored 363/8 in 90 overs on Day 1 of the three-day warm-up fixture at the Nondescripts Cricket Club in Colombo on 7 August. Ravindra Jadeja, Manav Suthar, and Kuldeep Yadav each claimed two wickets, while the pace bowlers struggled on a flat surface.
Why is KL Rahul leading India in the warm-up match?
KL Rahul is captaining India in the warm-up fixture because regular Test captain Shubman Gill is sidelined with a right ring finger injury. It is unclear at this stage whether Gill will be fit for the first Test starting 15 August in Galle.
Who were the top scorers for SLC XI on Day 1?
Ravindu Rasantha top-scored with 71 and Nishan Madushka made 66, the two openers sharing a century partnership. Captain Sonal Dinusha also contributed a fighting 52 in the lower middle order.
When and where is the first Test between India and Sri Lanka?
The first Test between India and Sri Lanka is scheduled to begin on 15 August in Galle, Sri Lanka. The warm-up match in Colombo is part of India's preparation for the series.
How did India's pace attack perform in the warm-up?
India's pace bowlers struggled on a benign track with minimal lateral movement. Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna went wicketless, while Gurnoor Brar was the only seamer to take a wicket, removing Pavan Rathnanayake just before tea.
