Considering the current scenario, winning a Test series against a formidable side like Sri Lanka in their own backyard is like stealing food from the lion's den.
India tour of Sri Lanka 2008, Begins today (18 July)India v Sri Lanka Board XI Practice MatchLast Update : 20-Jul-2008 18:00:00 IST
Indian team has set sights on as the visitors take on the Sri Lanka Board XI in the three day warm-up tie here, ahead of the Test Series. To realize the a dream getting the right combination is a priority - whether it will be 7 batsmen and 4 bowlers in the XI or 6 and 5. The team management is trying hard to find the answer because MS Dhoni is not here.
In the bowling line-up, it is certain that Indian have two spinners in their line-up - Skipper Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh the terminator. Then, the 2 leading pacers - The experienced Zaheer Khan and Rajdhani Express young Ishant Sharma are more or less certain to make the cut.
Day 1: Indian bowler balling well, Sri Lanka Board all out at 224. Kumble take 3 wickets, while Zaheer and Harbhajan pickup 2 wicket each. India loss opener Gautam Gambhir 4/1 at end of day.
Day 2: Indian batsmen struggle against Sri Lanka Board XI, only Sachin Tendulkar and Wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik are brilliant knock make 69 and 58 runs respectively. Brief Score End of Day 2 - SLXI: 224 and Indian: 196/8 (Sachin 69, Karthik 58*)
Day 3: Gautam Gambhir star for Indian team like T20 and ODI form in drawn practise match against Sri Lanka Board XI. Brief Score: - SLXI: 224/10 & 247/6, Indian: 196/8d and 129/2 (Gautam Gambhir 60*)
| Match Summary |
| SL BPXI 1st Innings |
224/10 (71.5 Overs) |
| SHT Kandamby 84 (138) |
A Kumble 3/30 |
| LPC Silva 68 (108) |
Zaheer Khan 2/35 |
| India 1st Innings |
196/8 d (49 Overs) |
| SR Tendulkar 69 (76) |
KTGD Prasad 3/30 |
| KD Karthik 58* (105) |
CRD Fernando 2/27 |
| SL BPXI 2nd Innings |
247/6 d (55 Overs) |
| LPC Silva 59* (88) |
Harbhajan Singh 2/53 |
| KTGD Prasad 43* (53) |
MM Patel 1/33 |
| India 2nd Innings |
129/2 (31 Overs) |
| Gautam Gambhir 60* (82) |
HMRKB Herath 1/23 |
| R Dravid 26 (47) |
KTGD Prasad 1/28 |
|
| Result : Drawn |
