The Indian batting line up got a solid workout on the last day of the two-day practice match against the Sri Lankan President’s XI.
Carrying on from their overnight score of 135 for the loss of three wicket, the Indian batsmen were in fine nick as they accumulated a further 177 runs for the loss of only two wickets.
Most Indian batsmen who came in to bat on Saturday spent a decent amount of time at the crease.
Skipper Virat Kohli resumed from where he had left off to register a half century before declaring himself and partner Ajinkya Rahane retired hurt. The Mumbai batsman had crafted 40 runs at the time.
Virat Kohli looked in good touch during his half century.
This brought the ODI opening combination of Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma to the crease. The pair added 80 runs before they were called back into the pavilion by Kohli to get the next set of batsmen some game time.
Hardik Pandya disappointed as he was dismissed for 11 by off spinner Tharindu Kaushal. Wicket keeper Wriddhiman Saha and all rounder Ravindra Jadeja then got some batting practice before Jadeja was dismissed by Kaushal with the scorecard reading 312-9.
The Indian management then declared the innings. Saha stayed unbeaten on a well made 36.
At this point, Kohli and President’s XI skipper Lahiru Thirimanne mutually agreed to a draw to end the day’s play.
Newly appointed Indian coach Ravi Shastri and captain Kohli will be happy with the workout the batsmen received after their bowlers dismissed the President’s XI for 187.
BRIEF SCORES
Sri Lanka Board President’s XI 187 all out [Danushka Gunathilaka 74, Lahiru Thirimanne 59, Kuldeep Yadav 4-14, Ravindra Jadeja 3-31] vs India 312/9 declared [KL Rahul 54, Virat Kohli 53, Vishwa Fernando 2-37].