Devdutt Padikkal struck a superb unbeaten 142 as India completed a six-wicket victory over Sri Lanka Cricket XI in their three-day tour match at the Nondescripts Cricket Club Ground in Colombo.
The match ended on the second day after India, set a target of 207, reached 214 for four in 45 overs.
Padikkal anchored India’s first innings with an impressive 142 off 164 balls, hitting 18 boundaries, as India declared on 357 for six in reply to SLC XI’s 363 for eight declared.
Sri Lanka Cricket XI, led by Sonal Dinusha, had made a strong start after electing to bat first. Nishan Fernando top-scored with 66 off 65 balls, while Ravindu Rasantha contributed 71 from 143 deliveries.
Captain Dinusha added a patient 52 off 72 balls, while Pavan Rathnayake made 39 and Ahan Wickramasinghe 31. Ramesh Mendis chipped in with 32 as SLC XI reached 363 for eight after 90 overs.
India’s spinners shared the bulk of the wickets. Ravindra Jadeja and Manav Suthar claimed two wickets each, while Kuldeep Yadav also took two. Gurnoor Brar picked up one wicket.
India’s reply was dominated by Padikkal, who put together a lengthy partnership with KL Rahul after Yashasvi Jaiswal fell for a first-ball duck. Rahul made 40 off 67 balls before being dismissed with India on 96.
Jadeja then contributed 63 from 117 balls before retiring hurt, while Manav Suthar scored 41. Rishabh Pant and Dhruv Jurel were dismissed cheaply, but Padikkal continued untroubled until the declaration.
Gurnoor Brar provided a late burst, smashing an unbeaten 36 from just 18 balls, including four sixes, as India declared on 357 for six.
SLC XI’s second innings began poorly, losing Ravindu Rasantha and Pasindu Sooriyabandara early before Pavan Rathnayake was dismissed with the total on 77.
Nipun Dhananjaya then made a valuable 46 off 56 balls, while Anjala Bandara scored 35. Nishan Fernando, who had made 66 in the first innings, retired hurt after making 63 off 73 balls.
SLC XI declared on 200 for six after 45 overs, setting India 207 for victory.
India lost Shubman Gill for 44 and Dhruv Jurel for 17, while Rishabh Pant made 28. However, Jaiswal produced an aggressive 61 off just 46 balls before retiring hurt, and Ravindra Jadeja also retired hurt after making 22.
With the target within reach, Mohammed Siraj finished the match in spectacular fashion, smashing an unbeaten 32 from only 15 balls, including four sixes. Saransh Jain was unbeaten on two as India reached 214 for four.
Keshara Nuwantha was the pick of the SLC XI bowlers, taking three wickets in India’s second innings after also claiming one in the first. Ramesh Mendis took one wicket in each innings, while Asanka Manoj claimed two in India’s first innings.
The warm-up provided both sides with valuable preparation ahead of the Test series, with India’s top-order batters and bowling attack getting an extended workout while several Sri Lankan players had opportunities to stake their claims.
India will now turn their attention to the opening Test of the series, while Sri Lanka will assess the performances and fitness of their players following the Colombo warm-up.
