Ahead of the white-ball series against Sri Lanka, Indian cricket team played an intra-squad T20 simulation game at the SSC ground in Colombo on Monday (July 5).
The match was played between Shikhar Dhawan XI and Bhuvneshwar Kumar XI and the latter’s team won the contest easily.
Batting first, Dhawan XI posted 154/4 in 20 overs with Manish Pandey scoring 63 off 45 balls. Opening the innings, Ruturaj Gaikwad also contributed 30-odd.
Opposition skipper Bhuvneshwar Kumar was the pick of the bowler with figures of 2 for 23 in his 4 overs.
In reply, Prithvi Shaw and Devdutt Padikkal forged a 60-run opening stand in quick time while Suryakumar Yadav slammed a quick-fire 50-odd to overhaul the target within 17 overs.
Speaking to bcci.tv, bowling coach Paras Mhambrey said that the coaching staff was pleased with the "intensity" and the players ticked all the right boxes in humid conditions.
Mhambrey said since the target was easily achieved by the side batting second, "we decided we will revise the target and gave them a situation where they had to score 40 odd runs in four overs to win the match. We wanted to push them and get the best out of situation."
The limited-overs series between India and Sri Lanka will get underway with the first ODI in Colombo on July 13.
(With PTI inputs)
