India use three-day warm-up in Colombo to fine-tune Test plans against Sri Lanka XI
India began a three-day warm-up match against a Sri Lanka XI in Colombo on Day 1, with the toss scheduled for 9:30 AM IST and the first ball due at 10:00 AM IST. The fixture is being used by India to fine-tune plans ahead of a crucial Test series just around the corner.
The contest, described in coverage as a warm-up against Sri Lanka A, is intended as the visitors’ final opportunity to settle combinations, adapt to Sri Lankan conditions and give players valuable red-ball time before the first Test. Scorelines are secondary to the answers India hope to find over three days, and the match will provide time for batters and bowlers to adjust to match intensity. From the top order through the bowling attack, the game is being viewed as a practical rehearsal rather than a standard first-class match.
Batting questions headline the build-up, with attention on whether Yashasvi can continue his rise in Test cricket and whether KL Rahul can secure his role with a substantial innings. India will also be able to evaluate middle-order options and give technique-based match practice to players pushing for Test selection. The warm-up offers match situations for players to stake claims without the pressure of a series scoreline.
Pace-bowling workloads are another focus, particularly how much Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna will bowl before India moves into Test mode. The match provides a controlled environment to gauge readiness and manage overs ahead of selection decisions. Captains and support staff can monitor rhythm, fitness and the effectiveness of different bowling plans.
Spin options will also be probed, with Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav expected to be well-suited to the surfaces and likely to receive extended spells. India can use the conditions to test variations and combinations among spinners ahead of the Tests. Those sessions may inform the balance of the attack when the series begins.
Sri Lanka XI bring experience to the practice match, with Vishwa Fernando, Lahiru Kumara and Ramesh Mendis among the names expected to make the contest more than a routine hit-out. Their presence offers India the chance to face seasoned opponents in local conditions and helps the hosts assess their own fringe players in a competitive setting.
The three-day warm-up concludes ahead of the first Test and represents India’s last on-field chance to finalise combinations, adjust to Colombo conditions and provide red-ball match time for all contenders before the series opener.