Archive · 8 Aug 2026
India spinners key as pacers struggle in Sri Lanka warm-up
The Indian cricket team is in Sri Lanka to play some Test matches.
Before the big games, they played a practice match against a Sri Lankan team.
On the first day of the practice game, India's fast bowlers did not do very well.
The Sri Lankan batters scored a lot of runs.
Then India's spin bowlers, who make the ball twist and turn, took over in the last part of the day.
Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja and Manav Suthar each took two wickets.
At the end of the day, the Sri Lankan team had scored 363 runs with 8 wickets down.
The first real Test match will start on August 15 in a city called Galle.
One Indian player, Washington Sundar, is hurt and cannot play, which might give Kuldeep Yadav a chance.
The Sri Lankan cricket board says fans can watch the Test matches for free.
Sri Lanka XI reached 363/8 on day one of the warm-up game in Colombo after India's pacers struggled to make an impact.
Spinners Kuldeep Yadav (2/76), Ravindra Jadeja (2/64) and Manav Suthar (2/33) led India's recovery in the final session.
The first Test of the two-match series begins at Galle on August 15, with India fine-tuning its bowling attack.
Washington Sundar has been ruled out of the first Test due to injury, boosting Kuldeep Yadav's chances of selection.
Sri Lanka Cricket announced that public admission to the upcoming two-Test series between Sri Lanka and India will be free of charge.
- Who
- India's spinners, led by Kuldeep Yadav, and the Sri Lanka XI's young batters in a warm-up match.
- What
- India's spinners staged a recovery on the opening day of a warm-up game, with Sri Lanka XI closing at 363/8.
- When
- Friday, ahead of the first Test at Galle which starts on August 15.
- Where
- Nondescripts Cricket Club, Colombo, Sri Lanka.
- Why
- India are using the game to finalize their bowling attack ahead of the two-Test series against Sri Lanka.
- Score at close
- Sri Lanka XI 363/8
- Top Indian wicket-takers
- Kuldeep Yadav 2/76, Ravindra Jadeja 2/64, Manav Suthar 2/33; Saransh Jain 0/54
- First Test
- Galle, from August 15
- Match status
- Not first-class; 90 overs per side on Days I and II and 45 overs on the final day
- Kuldeep Yadav
- 18 Tests in nine years; bowled 18 overs on day one
- Injury
- Washington Sundar ruled out of the first Test
- Admission
- Sri Lanka Cricket announced free entry for the two-Test series