Press Trust of India
Colombo, August 8: Indian cricketers got much-needed match practice as they enjoyed an upper hand on all three days against Sri Lanka Board President’s XI in the tour opener that ended in a tame draw at the R Premadasa Stadium here Saturday
While the batsmen did not exactly set the stage on fire in the second innings getting all out for 180 but the bowlers kept the pressure, restricting hosts to 200 for six in 54 overs as they chased a stiff victory target of 411 runs.
Premier off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin (3/38) warmed up nicely for the Test series while Harbhajan Singh (1/26) and Amit Mishra (1/42) also got crucial overs under their belt.
Earlier, India started off from their overnight score of 112 for three but both the unbeaten batsmen KL Rahul (47 n o) and Cheteshwar Pujara (31 n o) retired to give the lower order a chance to get some decent hit.
Ashwin (0) was bowled off the first ball he faced from Lahiru Gamage. Harbhajan (4) too lasted only three more overs edging one to slips off Nisala Tharaka. Mishra (7) faced 29 balls in a bid to get in some practice. At the other end, Bhuvneshwar Kumar (37) made good on this opportunity given to him.
Upul Tharanga (52, 54b, 8×4, 1×6) and Kaushal Silva
(83 n o, 163b, 6×4) starred with the bat for the hosts in their second essay.
Brief Scores
India 351 and 180; Sri Lanka Board President’s XI 121 and 200 for 6 (Kaushal Silva 83 n o; Ravi Ashwin 3/38). Match drawn.
