The Indian test team has begun their preparations for the India-Sri Lanka Test series starting from 10th August 2026. Before the series began, the team decided to play a three-day warm-up match against the host team. The decision to play a warm-up match stemmed from the management's decision to prepare the players for the weather of the sub-continent and also to make them familiar with the spin friendly pitches of Sri Lanka. The warm-up match began on August 7 at the Nondescripts Cricket Club Ground at Colombo. The Indian team is led by KL Rahul and has been playing against the Sri Lankan team led by Sonal Dinusha. Chasing a score of 363 in the first innings, Indian batsman Devdutt Paddikal hit 103 against the Sri Lankan bowlers at a strike rate of 85.12.
X (formerly, Twitter), was taken by storm after the comeback Devdutt Paddikal and flowed in tweets in praise for the player. The fans called him the OG Prince as he came in time for the team while India was struggling after losing Yashasvi Jaiswal for a duck as he was dismissed by Vishwa Fernando. The fans also called out the team management for the absence of the player from the main test team despite his consistent performances throughout the year in red ball cricket.
India's batting takes shape as Padikkal scores century in Sri Lanka warm-up
In the first innings of the ongoing tour match in Colombo, Sri Lanka Cricket XI posted a commanding 363/8 declared against India. Capitalising on home conditions and flat Indian seamers, the Sri Lankan openers put together a rapid 110-run partnership. While no batter crossed the century mark, the host’s batting lineup frustrated India through collective depth. Seven batters crossed thirty, with Ravindu Rasantha (71), Nishan Madushka (66), and Sonal Dinusha (52) slamming half-centuries. Despite a middle-order squeeze by India's spin trio, Sri Lanka's aggressive approach maintained a healthy 4.03 run rate.
In the warm-up match against Sri Lanka Cricket XI, India's first-innings batting had a mixed day, reaching 174 for 4 after Sri Lanka declared at 363 for 8.India faced an early setback when Yashasvi Jaiswal fell for a duck to Vishwa Fernando. However, Devdutt Padikkal anchored the recovery, striking a magnificent, retired-out century. He forged a resilient partnership with stand-in captain KL Rahul, who contributed a steady 40. Following their departures, the middle order faltered slightly as Dhruv Jurel was dismissed by Ramesh Mendis for just 1. Ravindra Jadeja and Manav Suthar then stabilized the innings.
