India produced a strong comeback after a difficult opening session to reduce Sri Lanka Cricket XI to 358/8 at stumps on Day 1 of the warm-up match in Colombo, with left-arm spinner Manav Suthar emerging as the standout performer ahead of the opening Test. After struggling to make early inroads on a batting-friendly surface, India's spin trio of Suthar, Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav turned the tide during the final two sessions.
The day began with an injury concern for India as captain Shubman Gill suffered a blow to his right ring finger during training and sat out the match. Vice-captain KL Rahul led the side after Sri Lanka opted to bat first on a placid wicket that offered little assistance to the seamers.
India's pacers endured a frustrating start as Nishan Madushka and Ravindu Rasantha dominated the opening session with a 110-run opening partnership. Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna struggled to find consistency, allowing Madushka to race to 66 off 65 balls. India's only success before lunch came through a run-out caused by a mix-up between the two openers.
Rasantha continued to anchor the innings after the break, while Pasindu Sooriyabandara, Sonal Dinusha and Ramesh Mendis chipped in with useful contributions. However, India gradually regained control. Jadeja ended the second-wicket stand before Suthar dismissed the well-set Rasantha. Kuldeep struck twice in the final session, while Gurnoor Brar and Jadeja added wickets to ensure India finished the day on a much stronger note.
SUTHAR STAKES HIS CLAIM
Manav Suthar was India's most disciplined bowler on a surface that demanded patience and precision.
After settling into his spell, the left-arm spinner consistently hit probing lengths, mixing subtle variations in flight and pace to keep the batters under pressure.
His biggest breakthrough came when he lured Ravindu Rasantha out of his crease with clever flight, forcing the opener into a mistimed shot after his well-made 71. Suthar later trapped Sonal Dinusha lbw for 52 after India took the second new ball, preventing the left-hander from converting his start into a bigger innings.
While others searched for wicket-taking deliveries, Suthar relied on accuracy and control, making him India's most impressive bowler of the day and strengthening his case for a place in the Test XI.
KULDEEP FINDS HIS GROOVE
Kuldeep Yadav also finished the day with plenty of positives despite an expensive opening spell.
The left-arm wrist-spinner initially leaked runs as Sri Lanka XI batters used their feet confidently against him, conceding 29 runs in his first five overs.
However, Kuldeep adjusted impressively by reducing his pace, varying his trajectory and extracting extra bounce. The changes paid off as Ahan Wickramasinghe top-edged a sweep before Anjala Bandara was trapped lbw by a quicker delivery shortly after the drinks break.
More encouraging than the wickets was Kuldeep's attacking mindset. Despite unresponsive conditions, he continued to trust his variations instead of retreating into defensive bowling, producing an encouraging spell as he looks to cement his place in India's Test plans.
Jadeja also picked up two wickets after an inconsistent start, finding greater success once he attacked the stumps more regularly. Saransh Jain, meanwhile, failed to make the same impact and appears to have slipped behind both Suthar and Kuldeep in the race for a place in the playing XI.
Among the fast bowlers, Gurnoor Brar emerged as India's most effective seamer after recovering from a slow beginning. The left-armer removed Milan Rathnayake with a well-directed short ball and generated useful movement with the second new ball. Siraj and Prasidh, meanwhile, understandably looked short of rhythm after an extended break from red-ball cricket.
Although Sri Lanka XI finished the day in a strong position at 358/8, India will be encouraged by the manner in which they recovered after a difficult morning. More importantly, Suthar and Kuldeep delivered the biggest positives as competition for places ahead of the opening Test continues to intensify.
