The group of players that have landed in Sri Lanka for a limited-over tour began their preparation with an intra-squad T20 game. The players were split into two sides led by Shikhar Dhawan and Bhuvneshwar Kumar respectively.
Dhawan XI were able to post 154-4 in their 20 overs after batting first. The batting unit for the side was led by Manish Pandey, who scored 63 off 45 balls. Opener Ruturaj Gaikwad was also in groove during his 30-run knock at the top of the order.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar emerged as the pick of the bowlers in the first innings. The opposition skipper accounted for both economy and wickets with his figures of 2-23.
Chasing just under 8 an over, in-form openers Prithvi Shaw and Devdutt Padikkal handed the side a brisk start. The 60-run stand for the first wicket was subsequently backed by a fifty from Suryakumar Yadav, as they reached the target with 3 overs to spare.
The bowling coach for the Indian contingent on tour Paras Mhambrey said to BCCI post the match that the coaching staff was pleased with the intensity on display. Moreover, the players ticked all the boxes while competing against each other in humid conditions.
“The two nominated captains from today’s game were Shikhar Dhawan and Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Shikhar won the toss and elected to bat first. His team managed to score 150-odd in the allotted 20 overs. There were useful contributions from Ruturaj, who scored 30-odd runs, and Manish Pandey, the highest scorer with 63. It was a very hot day, a hard day, and everyone appreciated Manish for his contribution,” Mhambrey said.
“Bhuvi’s (Bhuvneshwar) team could manage to chase that easily in the 17th over, with Suryakumar who got fifty-plus. There were a couple of useful contributions from Devdutt and Prithvi Shaw as well, putting up a 60-run opening partnership,” he added.
The tour will start from 13 July with the first ODI and will culminate with the final T20 on July 25. All of the six fixtures are slated to be held at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.
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