Colombo: Sri Lanka head coach Gary Kirsten was a keen observer at the Nondescripts Cricket Club Ground on Sunday as India continued their preparations for the upcoming two-Test series, with the former India coach getting a close look at the visitors during their final warm-up game.Kirsten, who guided India to the 2011 ODI World Cup title, was spotted at the venue during the warm-up fixture between India and Sri Lanka Cricket XI. The South African also exchanged a few words with India fast bowler Gurnoor Brar near the boundary ropes before turning his attention back towards the visitors’ preparations.
India face 207-run chase
The warm-up match has now entered its final phase, with Sri Lanka Cricket XI declaring their second innings at 200/6 to set India a target of 207 runs. India had earlier declared on 357/6 after Sri Lanka Cricket XI posted 363/8 in their first innings. Devdutt Padikkal’s unbeaten 142 was the standout performance for India, while Ravindra Jadeja and Manav Suthar also spent valuable time in the middle.The final chase will give India’s batters another opportunity to adapt to Sri Lankan conditions before the Test series, while the hosts will be keen to put pressure on a visiting side that is still working out its combinations.For Kirsten, Sunday’s visit offered an opportunity to assess an Indian side he knows extremely well from his successful stint as head coach between 2008 and 2011. His current assignment, however, is to prepare Sri Lanka for a challenging two-Test World Test Championship series against India. Sri Lanka Cricket appointed him with a long-term mandate that includes building the team towards the 2027 ODI World Cup.The first Test will be played at the Galle International Cricket Stadium from August 15 to 19, followed by the second Test at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo from August 23 to 27.
India’s No. 3 puzzle takes another twist
One of the biggest selection talking points heading into the series has been India’s No. 3 position. Sai Sudharsan, who was initially included in India’s Test squad subject to fitness, has now been ruled out of the series with a toe injury. That has opened the door further for Devdutt Padikkal, whose unbeaten 142 in the warm-up has strengthened his case for a place in the playing XI.As TimesofIndia.com reported earlier also identified Shaik Rasheed and Sarfaraz Khan as potential contenders to replace Sudharsan in the squad, although an official replacement had not been confirmed.
