Mohammed Siraj produced an unexpected late batting assault as India defeated the Sri Lanka Cricket XI by six wickets in their three-day warm-up match in Colombo.

India were set a target of 207 after the Sri Lanka Cricket XI declared its second innings at 200 for six. The visitors reached 214 for four, completing the chase during the final session.

Siraj smashed three sixes in the last over and finished unbeaten on 32 from only 15 deliveries. His innings contained four sixes and one four.

India Complete Test Preparation with Win

The Sri Lanka Cricket XI had declared its first innings at 363 for eight. India responded with 357 for six declared, keeping the match finely balanced before the hosts set a fourth-innings target.

India’s top-order batters received useful time in the middle, while the late chase gave the team experience of batting under scoreboard pressure ahead of the two-Test series.

The performance will encourage India, although the warm-up fixture does not carry official Test status and its statistics will not be included in international Test records.

The team management will now assess player fitness and combinations before selecting the playing XI for the opening Test.