Team India has began their preparation for the limited overs series that is about to begin in a few days time. The first ODI between India and Sri Lanka will be played on 13th July at R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo. Both the teams will be clashing with each other in 6 matches of which 3 will be ODIs and 3 games of T20s.
In accordance with the preparation for the tour, the Indian team played an intra squad practice match. The total of 20 players were divided into 10 players each of 2 teams. One side was led by Shikhar Dhawan while other side was captained by Bhuvaneshwar Kumar. In the match, the team led by Kumar easily outclassed Dhawan’s team as they chased down the target of 155. It took them just under 17 overs to knock down the target of 155.
Manish Pandey was the top scorer for his side. The right hander from Karnataka made an important 63 runs and took the team’s total to 155 runs. Pandey’s performance will no doubt enhance his chances of getting a place in the playing 11 of the Indian team for first ODI. Also Hardik Pandya showed his hitting range once again as he blasted some long sixes. This will come as a good news for the Indian fans.
The other reasonable scorer for Dhawan’s team was Ruturaj Gaikwad. He scored 34 runs and looked solid while his stay at the crease. From the opposition, it was the captain Bhuvaneshwar Kumar who was the most impressive. The right handed seamer took 2 wickets for 23 runs in 4 overs and helped restrict Dhawan’s team for 155 runs.
Easy victory for Bhuvi 11!
Chasing a modest target of 156, the openers Prithvi Shaw and Devdutt Padikkal added a quickfire 60 runs for the first wicket. Moreover it was Surya Kumar Yadav at number 3 who hit a blistering half century as his contribution led Bhuvi’s team to scale the target before 17 overs.
It was the bowling coach of Indian team Paras Mhambrey who spoke to the bcci.tv after the game. Thus he provided the highlights of the practice match.
“The two nominated captains from today’s game were Shikhar Dhawan and Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Shikhar won the toss and elected to bat first. His team managed to score 150-odd in the allotted 20 overs. There were useful contributions from Ruturaj, who scored 30-odd runs, and Manish Pandey, the highest scorer with 63. It was a very hot day, a hard day, and everyone appreciated Manish for his contribution”. Mhambrey said to the official BCCI channel.
Furthermore he added – “Bhuvi’s [Bhuvneshwar Kumar] team could manage to chase that easily in the 17th over, with Suryakumar who got fifty-plus. There were a couple of useful contributions from Devdutt and Prithvi Shaw as well, putting up a 60-run opening partnership”.
Watch the video of the bowling coach here :
The recap with a twist ЁЯФА
Paras Mhambrey takes the 9тГг0тГг-seconds match-rewind тПк challenge ЁЯШО ЁЯШО
Watch NOW тМЫя╕П ЁЯОе#TeamIndia #SLvIND pic.twitter.com/UTpRH0V9ug
— BCCI (@BCCI) July 5, 2021
