Colombo: Ravindra Jadeja’s Kuldeep Yadav imitation amuses Gautam Gambhir during warm-up
Lighthearted Moment in Colombo
During India’s warm-up match against Sri Lanka Cricket XI in Colombo, Ravindra Jadeja provided a moment of amusement by imitating Kuldeep Yadav’s bowling action. The lighthearted act, performed from the stands, drew laughter from head coach Gautam Gambhir, who was observed reacting to Jadeja’s portrayal.
A commentator described the scene, noting Jadeja’s imitation of Kuldeep Yadav’s run-up and the expressions involved. Gambhir’s reaction further contributed to the entertainment during the practice game.
This playful exchange occurred on Day 2 of the warm-up fixture, which served as an important practice session for India ahead of their upcoming Test series. Both Jadeja and Kuldeep are anticipated to play significant roles with the ball, particularly as spin is expected to become more influential on the pitches as the matches progress.
On-Field Contributions and Batting Performances
Beyond the humorous interlude, the warm-up match saw several notable cricketing performances. Devdutt Padikkal made a strong case for inclusion in India’s opening Test playing XI, scoring an unbeaten 142. He capitalized on a favorable batting surface, hitting 18 boundaries and appearing comfortable against both pace and spin deliveries.
After Yashasvi Jaiswal was dismissed early without scoring, Padikkal and KL Rahul formed a partnership, adding 96 runs for the second wicket. Padikkal continued his impressive innings alongside Jadeja, reaching his century in 121 balls.
India concluded the second day with a score of 357/6 after 90 overs. Jadeja contributed a valuable 63 runs before retiring. Manav Suthar also played a role, scoring 41 runs and helping to stabilize the innings. Earlier in the match, Jadeja had also made an impact with the ball, taking 2/64 from 15 overs, dismissing Pasindu Sooriyabandara and Ramesh Mendis. Kuldeep Yadav also secured 2/76 from 18 overs, removing Ahan Wickramasinghe and Anjala Bandara, while Suthar impressed with 2/33 from 13 overs.
Sri Lanka Cricket XI had declared their innings at 363/8, setting a target for India. Jadeja’s contribution with the bat, scoring 63 runs off 117 deliveries, included seven fours and provided stability after early wickets. He found support from Suthar, who remained unbeaten on 29, hitting three fours and a six. Their partnership helped India recover from 180/5 at tea, bringing them closer to the SLC XI total. Jadeja’s decision to retire out at 63 allowed other batsmen to gain time in the middle.
Mixed Performances and Upcoming Test
While some players performed well, others had a challenging outing. Rishabh Pant scored only two runs before being caught at long-off while attempting an attacking shot against Ramesh Mendis. Dhruv Jurel also struggled, scoring one run before falling to off-spin, with an inside edge taken at short square leg. Following these dismissals, Suthar joined Jadeja, and together they added 76 runs to help repair the innings. Padikkal later returned to the crease, adding four more boundaries alongside Saransh Jain, who retired after scoring 22 runs.
India ended Day 2 trailing Sri Lanka Cricket XI by just six runs. Padikkal’s century provided a foundation, with contributions from Jadeja, Suthar, and the lower order ensuring India remained competitive. The warm-up match has provided valuable practice for India, with the opening Test scheduled to commence on August 15 at the Galle International Stadium.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
