3 weeks ago
Kotak hails India's six-wicket warm-up win ahead of Sri Lanka Tests
India's cricket team played a practice game, called a warm-up match, against a team called Sri Lanka XI.
A warm-up match is a friendly game teams play to get ready for real matches.
India played very well and won by six wickets, which means they reached the target score with plenty of batters still to bat.
A player named Devdutt Padikkal scored 142 runs without getting out, which is a very big score.
Shubman Gill came back to the team after an injury and scored 44 runs quickly.
Mohammed Siraj hit four big sixes and scored 32 runs very fast.
The batting coach, Sitanshu Kotak, said the team bowled and batted with lots of energy.
He said the practice match was even better than regular training sessions.
This win gives the team confidence before their real matches, a two-match Test series against Sri Lanka that starts on August 15 at Galle.
India secured a six-wicket victory over Sri Lanka XI in their only warm-up match ahead of the two-match Test series.
Batting coach Sitanshu Kotak called the outing 'very good, very productive,' saying it was more beneficial than regular training sessions.
Devdutt Padikkal starred with an unbeaten 142 off 164 balls in India's declared first innings of 357/6.
Shubman Gill returned to action on the final day with a quick 44 off 54 balls, laying the foundation for the 207-run chase.
Mohammed Siraj smashed an unbeaten 32 off 15 balls, including four sixes, as India chased down the target in 45 overs.
- Who
- India's cricket team, including Devdutt Padikkal, Shubman Gill and Mohammed Siraj, and the Sri Lanka XI, with batting coach Sitanshu Kotak praising the performance.
- What
- India won a six-wicket victory over the Sri Lanka XI in their only warm-up match ahead of the Test series.
- Where
- At the Nondescripts Cricket Club in Colombo, Sri Lanka, ahead of the two-match Test series that starts at Galle.
- When
- In the lead-up to the two-match Test series starting August 15, with Shubman Gill returning on the final day of the warm-up clash.
- Why
- To prepare the squad and build morale and momentum ahead of the two-match Test series against Sri Lanka.
Key facts
- Result
- India won by 6 wickets
- Match type
- Only warm-up/practice match against Sri Lanka XI at Nondescripts Cricket Club, Colombo
- Sri Lanka XI first innings
- 363/8 declared
- India first innings
- 357/6 declared
- Sri Lanka XI second innings
- 200/6 declared
- Target set
- 207 runs
- Top scorer
- Devdutt Padikkal 142* off 164 balls
- Chase
- Completed in 45 overs
- Test series
- Two matches starting August 15 at Galle
Quotes
Sitanshu Kotak
India batting coach
“"I think it was very good, very productive because if we practice four more days, I don't think it will be as good as the practice match because the bowlers bowled with good intensity. I think the batters batted well and we actually tried that everyone, even bowlers, get to bat and all the bowlers get enough loading what is required."”
rediff.com
freepressjournal.in
wionews.com
“I think Devdutt batted really well, the way Gurnoor also bowled, and our fast bowlers put a lot of effort on the wicket where there was nothing.”
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