Jadeja, Kuldeep and Suthar put India in command in warm-up against Sri Lanka ahead of Aug 15 Test
India's spinners — Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav and Suthar — put the hosts in control of the warm-up match against Sri Lanka Cricket XI on August 8, 2026, leaving India with two wickets to take ahead of day two and the first Test beginning on August 15. Sri Lanka had scored more than 360 on the opening day before the spin trio turned the tide late in the day.
After Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bat, openers Nishan Madushka and Ravindu Rasantha compiled a century opening partnership that saw the visitors dominate the first two sessions; Madushka was run out for 66 and Rasantha finished on 71. The warm-up fixture is Sri Lanka’s only chance to test combinations and batting order in match conditions before the Test series, and India’s management will review both the spin resurgence and the earlier under-pressure display by the pace bowlers.
India’s fortunes shifted after lunch when Jadeja bowled Pasindu Sooriyabandara to open the Indian comeback. Suthar then removed Ravindu Rasantha by enticing him out of his crease, while Brar claimed Pavan Rathnayake just before tea, giving India three wickets in the middle sessions.
The final session of the day belonged to Kuldeep, who dismissed Ahan Wickramasinghe and Anjala Bandara in quick succession as the wrist-spinner began to extract significant turn from the worn surface. That burst put control firmly with India after Sri Lanka had looked comfortable for much of the day.
Jadeja later trapped Ramesh Mendis lbw, and Suthar finished the day by dismissing Sonal Dinusha, who top-scored after tea with a fluent 52. Those late wickets reduced Sri Lanka’s momentum and left India with a clear objective at the start of day two.
India’s immediate priority is to remove the remaining two wickets quickly and then give their batters as much time as possible in the middle ahead of the first Test, which begins on August 15. The performance will inform selection and combination decisions for both teams before that match.
