Ravindra Jadeja scores timely half-century to keep India on front foot in warm-up match

Ravindra Jadeja marked his return to competitive cricket with a half-century on Day 2 of the warm-up match between India and Sri Lanka Cricket XI at the Nondescripts Cricket Club Ground in Colombo on August 8, 2026. India had reached 215/5 at that point, trailing Sri Lanka XI's first-innings total by 148 runs.

Jadeja, the experienced all-rounder, made a contribution with the bat that continued to prove what a vital cog he is in India's Test setup even today as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal had failed to get going, leaving the side in some trouble. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka Cricket XI had posted 363/8d on Day 1 after their skipper Sonal Dinusha won the toss and elected to bat first.

Devdutt Padikkal gave India a strong start, retiring hurt after scoring 103 runs. He and KL Rahul had added 96 runs for the second wicket before Rahul had to make the long walk back. Rishabh Pant was then dismissed for 2 and Dhruv Jurel for 1 in quick succession, leaving Jadeja in the middle under enormous pressure.

India experimented with their batting order in the practice match, with Jadeja coming in at No. 4. His half-century came at a stage when India had lost wickets in a cluster and needed a steadying hand.

Jadeja's bowling contribution on Day 1

Jadeja had also contributed with the ball on Day 1. He broke the second-wicket resistance in Sri Lanka XI's innings by castling Pasindu Sooriyabandara with a delivery that skidded through to hit the stumps.

This warm-up match is Jadeja's first competitive outing since IPL 2026. He was rested for the one-off Test against Afghanistan earlier in 2026, making this his first appearance in India whites ahead of the two-match Test series against Sri Lanka.

For the unversed, the two-match Test series against Sri Lanka is scheduled to begin at Galle on August 15, 2026, and will be Jadeja's first Test of the year. In seven Tests against Sri Lanka, Jadeja has scored 326 runs in nine innings at an average of 65.20, with one century and one fifty and a best score of 175 not out.

Speaking of the ongoing fixture, KL Rahul is leading the side in this three-day match in the absence of injured Shubman Gill.

The Indian side will look to close the deficit and post a competitive total on Day 3 before the Test series opener at Galle on August 15.