Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav reduce Sri Lanka Board President’s XI to 187, India on command at tea

SLBP XI opted to bat and were in control at 112 for 1 in the first session.

India spinners Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav ran through Sri Lanka Board President’s XI’s (SLBP XI) batting line up as hosts were reduced to 187 at tea on Day One of the only practice match at Colombo. SLBP XI opted to bat and were in control at 112 for 1 in the first session. But after India broke the partnership between Danushka Gunathilaka and Lahiru Thirimanne, SLBP XI failed to rebuild; thereby collapsing for a paltry score. READ: Sri Lanka Board President’s XI dominate 1st session against India

Post lunch, Thirimanne and Gunathilaka continued batting. Thirimanne got to his half-century but was sent back soon by Jadeja for 59 on a mishit. After this point, in 14 deliveries, SLBP XI lost 4 wickets for 7 runs. Jadeja’s 3-for rattled the hosts and they failed to find another strong partnership in the innings. He dismissed Dhananjaya de Silva for no score and Ashan Priyanjan for 2. He also effected a run out to send back a Gunathilaka for 74. Later on, Kuldeep joined the wicket-feast. His first wicket came in form of Sandun Weerakkody (10) and he removed Kithuruwan Vithanage (2) few overs later.

Kuldeep, finished with a 4-wicket haul and ended Sri Lanka’s innings as he dismissed Lahiru Gamage for a solitary run. Mohammed Shami, who had drawn the first blood, finished with 2 scalps. Indian bowlers bagged he last 9 wickets for 75 runs.

188 is expected to be a very low target in front of India, who are known to be good against spin. Their batsmen are well in form and having restricted the hosts for a paltry score, India are certainly in a commanding position at the moment.

Brief scores:

SLBPXI 187 (DanushkaGunathilaka 74, LahiruThirimanne 59; Mohammed Shami 2 for 9, Ravindra Jadeja 3 for 31, Kuldeep Yadav 4 for 14) vs India

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