India’s bowling attack endured a challenging opening day in the three-day warm-up fixture ahead of their two-Test series, as SLC XI capitalized on favorable batting conditions to reach 363 for 8 by stumps. The match, held at the Nondescripts Cricket Club Ground in Colombo, saw India utilize seven different bowlers after losing the toss on a docile surface.
India was forced to manage without Shubman Gill, who remained off the field due to an impact injury sustained to his right ring finger during training. The hosts took full advantage of the conditions early on, with openers Nishan Madushka and Ravindu Rasantha putting together a 110-run opening stand. India eventually secured a breakthrough when Madushka was run out, but Rasantha continued to anchor the innings alongside Pasindu Sooriyabandara, pushing the hosts to 138 for 1 by lunch.
Following the interval, Ravindra Jadeja provided the first breakthrough by bowling Sooriyabandara for 35. Rasantha, who played a measured innings of 71, was eventually dismissed after being beaten in the air by left-arm spinner Manav Suthar and caught in the deep. Pavan Rathnayake offered a brief spark with a brisk 39, hitting maximums off Gurnoor Brar and Saransh Jain, before Brar claimed his wicket with a short ball shortly before tea.
Kuldeep Yadav enjoyed his most productive spell of the day later in the afternoon, removing Ahan Wickramasinghe for 31 and trapping Anjala Bandara LBW, leaving Sri Lanka XI at 284 for 6. A 63-run partnership between Sonal Dinusha and Ramesh Mendis provided further resistance until Mendis was caught at slip off Jadeja. Dinusha was the final wicket to fall for the day, dismissed for 52 by Suthar, while Keshara Nuwantha and Dilum Sudeera successfully navigated the final 2.2 overs.
By the close of play, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, and Manav Suthar each finished with two wickets for India, with Suthar returning economical figures of 2 for 33.
