SL vs IND warm-up: Padikkal’s rise, Jadeja’s return and the questions in between

India’s three-day warm-up against Sri Lanka Cricket XI offered a useful glimpse into where the team stands ahead of the first Test in Galle. The six-wicket win mattered less than the selection clues that emerged, with Devdutt Padikkal strengthening his No.3 case, Ravindra Jadeja finding rhythm and India’s bowling attack showing a significant improvement on the final day.

There were concerns too. Rishabh Pant and Dhruv Jurel did not make substantial contributions, while Auqib Nabi and Saransh Jain failed to completely settle questions around their places.

Caption: India’s warm-up provided encouraging signs as well as selection questions ahead of the Sri Lanka Tests

SL vs IND Warm-ups, Day 3: Highlights

PADIKKAL MAKES HIS CASE

With Sai Sudharsan ruled out of the series, India’s No.3 position became one of the biggest questions heading into the Sri Lanka tour. Padikkal provided a strong answer with an unbeaten 142, combining sound defence with an ability to punish anything short. He reached his century in 121 balls and finished with 18 boundaries.

His comfort against spin was particularly encouraging given the conditions India are likely to encounter. The bigger examination, however, could come in Galle if Sri Lanka produce the kind of rank turner that forces Padikkal to play spin for long periods.

For now, though, the left-hander has done what was required of him. This was a genuine audition and he made a compelling case.

JADEJA FINDS RHYTHM

Ravindra Jadeja also got an important outing under his belt after not playing a Test since November 2025.

He scored 63 in India’s first innings and picked up two wickets in Sri Lanka XI’s second innings, while his partnership with Padikkal helped India recover and build a sizeable total.

There was some rust with the ball early on, but Jadeja became more effective as he attacked the stumps and settled into his rhythm. For an all-rounder whose value comes from what he provides in both departments, getting meaningful time in the middle was important.

He now heads into the Test series with runs and wickets behind him rather than a long period of inactivity.

PACERS TURN IT AROUND

India’s fast bowlers were one of the concerns after the opening day.

Sri Lanka XI’s Nishan Madushka and Ravindu Rasantha put on 110 for the first wicket, with Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna struggling to find their rhythm on a surface offering little assistance.

The final-day spell, however, was a different story.

Sri Lanka XI were restricted to 200 for six after India had found a way to exert considerably more control. Jadeja and Gurnoor Brar took two wickets each, while Siraj and Prasidh picked up one apiece. Gurnoor, in particular, continued to grow into the contest and showed encouraging signs with the second new ball.

The improvement was important because India will need their seamers to adjust quickly to conditions in Sri Lanka. The first innings suggested they were still finding their lengths; the second showed much greater control and discipline.

That progression is arguably more useful than the raw figures.

And then came the entertaining icing on the cake. Chasing 207, Siraj smashed 32 off 15 balls, including three successive sixes, to help India finish the game in style.

It was hardly central to India’s Test preparation, but it made for a memorable finish.

SUTHAR STAKES A CLAIM

Manav Suthar emerged as one of the more interesting positives of the warm-up.

The left-arm spinner showed patience and control, particularly when the surface was not offering much. Rather than searching for wickets, he trusted his lengths and used changes in flight and pace to build pressure.

That brought him important wickets, including Ravindu Rasantha and Sonal Dinusha, while he also contributed 41 runs with the bat.

Suthar’s ability to stay patient could be particularly useful in Sri Lanka, where spinners may need to work for their rewards. His performance does not guarantee a place in the XI, with Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav also in contention, but India now have another option worth serious consideration.

QUESTIONS REMAIN

The batting group did not provide the same clarity.

Rishabh Pant made just two in the first innings and 28 in the second, while Dhruv Jurel scored one and 17. Pant’s first-innings dismissal, when he attacked Ramesh Mendis against the turn and found long-on, was particularly disappointing.

Pant’s ability is not in question, but consistency remains important. Jurel faces a different challenge. He has been backed as an important wicketkeeping option, but this was another opportunity that passed without a substantial contribution.

Auqib Nabi is harder to judge because he did not bowl in India’s first innings. That limited the evidence available to assess him, but it also meant he did little to answer the larger question over whether he belongs in India’s immediate Test plans.

Saransh Jain, meanwhile, made 22 with the bat but did not have the same influence with the ball as Suthar or Kuldeep. Kuldeep recovered from an expensive start to take two wickets after adjusting his pace and trajectory.

That leaves India wondering whether Saransh has done enough to stay ahead of other options such as Harsh Dubey.

GILL GETS TIME

One quieter positive came from Shubman Gill’s return.

India’s captain missed the first two days after suffering a finger injury but returned to score 44 in the chase. Yashasvi Jaiswal also responded to his first-innings duck with 61, with the pair adding 105 for the opening wicket.

For Gill, the most important thing was simply getting back into the middle before the first Test. He has now had that opportunity and can head into Galle with some match time behind him.

Caption: Shubman Gill returned from injury and made 44 as India completed the chase

THE BIG PICTURE

India won by six wickets, but the more valuable outcome was the clearer selection picture.

Padikkal has strengthened his No.3 case, Jadeja has begun to rediscover his rhythm and Suthar has emerged as a genuine spin option. The pacers, meanwhile, showed on the final day that their difficult opening spell was not necessarily a major concern.

But Pant, Jurel and Nabi still have questions to answer, while Saransh Jain has not separated himself from India’s other spin options.

Caption: India now turn their attention to the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle

The warm-up was never going to settle every selection debate. What it has done is give India a clearer idea of which players are ready for Galle and which areas still require a closer look before the first Test on August 15.

– Ends