NEW DELHI: India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak believes the team gained more from its warm-up match against Sri Lanka than it could have from several additional days of conventional training, as the visitors completed a six-wicket win ahead of the Test series.Team India wrapped up its only practice fixture before the two-match series with a successful 207-run chase, giving players from both departments valuable match time ahead of the opening Test in Galle from August 15.Kotak was particularly impressed by the intensity on display, saying the competitive nature of the fixture made it more valuable than routine practice sessions.
‘Very good, very productive’
Speaking in a video shared by the BCCI on X, Kotak said: “I think it was very good, very productive because if we practice four more days, I don’t think it will be as good as the practice match because the bowlers bowled with good intensity. I think the batters batted well and we actually tried that everyone, even bowlers, get to bat and all the bowlers get enough loading what is required.”India’s batting unit had plenty of positives, with Devdutt Padikkal producing the standout performance. He remained unbeaten on 142 off 164 balls as India declared their first innings at 357/6 in response to Sri Lanka XI’s 363/8 declared.Kotak singled out Padikkal while also praising the contribution of India’s fast bowlers on a pitch that offered little assistance.“I think Devdutt batted really well, the way Gurnoor also bowled, and our fast bowlers put a lot of effort on the wicket where there was nothing. All the pacers put in a lot of effort. I think it was all in all a very good practice match. But for me, Devdutt’s innings was also really good,” he said.
Siraj, Gurnoor entertain with sixes
Kotak also highlighted the unexpected power-hitting contributions from India’s lower order, specifically mentioning Gurnoor Singh and Mohammed Siraj.“It’s been very good. I would say Gurnoor and Siraj hitting sixes, three to four-four sixes,” he added.Sri Lanka XI declared their second innings at 200/6 to set India 207. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill provided the platform before Ravindra Jadeja, Rishabh Pant and Siraj completed the chase.Gill, returning to action on the final day, scored a brisk 44 off 54 balls, while Siraj smashed an unbeaten 32 off just 15 balls, including four sixes.The result gives India valuable momentum and match practice before the Test series begins in Galle on August 15.
