Kuldeep, Jadeja spin a web around Lankan batsmen

Colombo, July 21 

Indian spinners Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja ran through Sri Lanka Board President’s XI before opener KL Rahul made a solid return from injury on the opening day of the two-day warm-up tie here today.  At the draw of stumps, the visitors were 135/3 after dismissing the hosts for just 187.

At one stage, the Sri Lankans were comfortably placed at 139/1, thanks to half-centuries from opener Danushka Gunathilaka (74) and Lahiru Thirimanne (59). But once Yadav and Jadeja got down to business, the Lankan batsmen developed cold feet and the side was bowled out for just 187. It was Thirimanne’s fall in the 38th over that triggered a massive collapse — the remaining eight batsmen could add just 48 runs to the total.

For India, Yadav was the most successful bowler, returning figures of 4/14 in just 6.5 overs. Jadeja chipped in with 3/31. As for pacers, Mohammed Shami, who’s making a comeback to the side, picked up two wickets.

In reply, India lost opener Abhinav Mukund (0) and Cheteshwar Pujara (12) cheaply but a fine half-century from KL Rahul helped India finish the day at a comfortable 135/3. Rahul, returning to competitive cricket after a three-month injury lay-off, made a fine 54 off 58 balls. Skipper Virat Kohli, too, looked good. He was unbeaten on 34 off 46 balls, and giving him company was Ajinkya Rahane (30). It was, however, an opportunity lost for Mukund, who is competing for the opening slot with Shikhar Dhawan.  Both Pujara and Mukund were bowled by left-arm pacer Vishwa Fernando.

On the bowling front, though, the visitors had a near perfect day. Shami worked up good pace upfront to pick two wickets. The other pacers were tidy but finished wicketless. Incidentally,      India’s premier spinner Ravichandran Ashwin also went wicketless even as Yadav and Jadeja toyed with the Lankan batsmen. Yadav, in particular, looked quite impressive.  

Brief scores: Sri Lanka Board President’s XI: 187 all out in 55.5 overs (Gunathilaka 74, Thirimanne 59; Kuldeep 4/14, Jadeja 3/31); India 135/3 (Rahul 54, Kohli 34*; Rahane 30*; Fernando 2/21). — PTI 

Chandimal to miss first Test against India

Colombo: Sri Lanka skipper Dinesh Chandimal will miss the first Test against India next week as he has been admitted to hospital with pneumonia. He has been replaced by Rangana Herath as captain of the team.  “He is down with pneumonia and will not be able to play the first Test starting on Wednesday,” said chief selector Sanath Jayasuriya. Chandimal was given captaincy after Angelo Mathews quit following a 2-3 ODI series defeat against Zimbabwe.