SLBP XI v IND, warm-up match review: Indian batsmen get good practice as the game ends in a draw

After a spectacular bowling display on Day 1, Indian batsmen spent some valuable time at the crease and the warm-up game against Sri Lanka Board President’s XI finished in a draw. KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, Shikhar Dhawan, Ajinkya Rahane and Wriddhiman Saha chipped in with some valuable contributions as India ended Day 2 on 312/9 in 68 overs.

The game began with a strong batting show from the Sri Lankans as Dhanush Gunathilaka (74 off 97 balls) and captain Lahiru Thirimanne (59 off 125 balls) chipped in with crucial half-centuries after Kaushal Silva was dismissed early. Gunathilaka made a mockery of the Indian bowling line-up and Thirimanne kept collecting each run carefully.

The duo completed their respective half-centuries and added 130 runs for the third wicket. But the dominance didn’t last long and a diabolical batting collapse followed. Ravindra Jadeja got the better of Thirimanne and Dhananjaya de Silva in the same over and followed it up with a superb run out to send Gunathilaka back to the gallery.

Wickets then fell like a pack of cards as the youngster Kuldeep Yadav bamboozled the Lankans with his Chinaman exploits. From 139/1, the Board President’s side was bowled out for 187, losing 9 wickets within a span of 38 runs. Mohammad Shami picked up 2 wickets whilst Jadeja finished with a spell of 3/31 in 9 overs.

The star of the innings was Chinaman bowler from Uttar Pradesh, who registered figures of 4/14 in 6.5 overs and rattled the Sri Lankan batting line-up. The youngster made an impressive debut against the Australians in March and he is highly likely to get a place in the playing XI when the series begins.

Fifty on comeback for KL Rahul

After undergoing surgery, this is the first time KL Rahul donned the Indian jersey and he is back with a bang. He registered a quick-fire fifty but his veteran partner Abhinav Mukund got out for a first ball duck.

Cheteshwar Pujara too didn’t stay for a long time and skipper Virat Kohli (53 off 76 balls) came in to accompany Rahul. Kohli wanted to give as much strike time as possible to the Karnataka batsman but he was rapped on the pads by Vikum Sanjaya after scoring 54 off 58 balls. Kohli soon registered a timely half-century and Rahane (40 off 58 balls) complemented him well.

The duo then opted to give other batters a chance on the field and walked back after the 38th over. Rohit Sharma (38 off 49 balls), another comeback man in the side came out to bat with his limited-overs opening partner Shikhar Dhawan (41 off 48 balls) and the duo added another 80-run stand, which took them to 246 in 56 overs. The duo stepped down after spending 16 overs in the middle.

Wriddhiman Saha (36 off 40 balls) and Hardik Pandya came out to bat next, but the latter was dismissed soon. Ravindra Jadeja stuck along with Saha for another 13 overs and got out to T Kaushal as the day came close to an end. Though there were a few more minutes left, the umpires decided to end this game on stalemate and both the captains consented for a draw.

The Indian bowlers displayed their class and the batsmen got some invaluable time in the middle. That is exactly what the Indian team would’ve asked from the warm-up encounter.

Brief Scores

SLBP XI: 187 all out in 55. 5 overs(Gunathilaka 74, Thirimanne 59; Jadeja 3/31, Kuldeep 4/14)

India: 312/9 in 68 overs(Rahul 54, Kohli 53, Dhawan 41, Rahane 40)