Three consecutive sixes from Mohammed Siraj capped India’s six-wicket warm-up victory over Sri Lanka Cricket XI in Colombo.
Sri Lanka Cricket XI: 363/8 declared
Ravindu Rasantha 71
Manav Suthar 2/33
India: 357/6 declared
Devdutt Padikkal 142
Asanka Manoj 3/32
Sri Lanka Cricket XI: 200/6 declared
Nishan Madushka 63
Gurnoor Brar 2/37
India: 213/4
Yashasvi Jaiswal 61
Shubman Gill 44
Keshara Nuwantha 2/57
Result: India won by six wickets.
COLOMBO – A Padikkal century set up India’s strong position before Mohammed Siraj smashed three consecutive sixes to seal a six-wicket warm-up victory over Sri Lanka Cricket XI at the Nondescripts Cricket Club Ground in Colombo.
Devdutt Padikkal’s unbeaten 142 was the centrepiece of India’s first innings. Siraj later supplied the spectacular finish as India chased 207 and reached 214 for four.
Padikkal built the platform with a long, controlled innings, while Siraj ended the contest with an unexpected burst of power.
Padikkal Century Anchors India’s Reply
Sri Lanka Cricket XI put India under pressure by declaring their first innings at 363 for eight.
India then lost Yashasvi Jaiswal for a duck, making Padikkal’s role at the crease even more important.
The left-hander responded with an unbeaten 142 from 164 deliveries. His innings included 18 fours and carried India to 357 for six declared after 90 overs.
KL Rahul made 40, while Ravindra Jadeja retired hurt after contributing 63. Manav Suthar also added 41.
However, the Padikkal century remained the defining feature of India’s reply.
His 142 allowed India to finish only six runs behind Sri Lanka Cricket XI’s first-innings total. It also ensured the visitors stayed in position to push for a result on the final day.
Asanka Manoj was Sri Lanka Cricket XI’s most successful bowler in India’s innings, taking three wickets for 32 runs.
Sri Lanka Cricket XI then declared their second innings at 200 for six, leaving India 207 to win.
That target created a final-session chase and eventually set the stage for Siraj’s extraordinary finish.
India Move Into Position for Victory
India began the chase positively through Jaiswal and Shubman Gill.
Jaiswal made 61 from 46 balls, while Gill scored 44 as the pair gave India a century opening stand.
Rishabh Pant and Dhruv Jurel also spent time in the middle as India continued to close on the target.
By the time India’s lower order became involved, the visitors were already within sight of victory.
Yet the final passage belonged to a player usually expected to influence games with the ball rather than the bat.
Mohammed Siraj came to the crease and immediately turned the closing stages into the most dramatic part of the contest.
Siraj’s Three Sixes Provide the Finish
Siraj ended unbeaten on 32 from only 15 deliveries, striking four sixes and one four during his cameo.
His most memorable sequence arrived in the final over.
Facing Keshara Nuwantha, Siraj launched the first three deliveries of the over for three consecutive sixes. Cricbuzz’s over record shows the final over beginning 6, 6, 6, as India surged past the target.
The rapid assault effectively ended Sri Lanka Cricket XI’s hopes of extending the match.
Siraj’s innings came at a strike rate of 213.33 and pushed India to 214 for four after 45 overs, sealing victory by six wickets.
The three straight sixes were the standout shots, but they formed part of a broader late attack. Siraj struck four sixes overall during his unbeaten 32.
