India's Batting Coach Praises Team's Warm-Up Match Performance Ahead of Test Series

In a recent warm-up match against Sri Lanka, India's batting coach Sitanshu Kotak praised the team's performance, emphasizing the benefits of match play over practice sessions. With a six-wicket victory, key players like Shubman Gill and Devdutt Padikkal showcased their skills, setting a positive tone for the upcoming Test series. Kotak highlighted the intensity of the bowlers and the contributions from various players, making this practice match a significant step in their preparation. Read on to discover more about the standout performances and insights from the coach.

By Narendra Chaudhary Aug 10, 2026, 10:18 IST

India's Productive Warm-Up Match Against Sri Lanka

Colombo [Sri Lanka], August 10: Sitanshu Kotak, the batting coach for India, commended the team's display in their warm-up match against Sri Lanka, calling it a fruitful experience in preparation for the upcoming two-match Test series commencing on August 15.

India triumphed over Sri Lanka by six wickets in their sole practice match, allowing both batsmen and bowlers to gain essential playing time.

Shubman Gill made a notable return, scoring a brisk 44 runs off 54 balls, which set the stage for India's successful chase of 207 runs, boosting their confidence ahead of the Test series set to begin in Galle.

In a video released by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on X, Kotak emphasized that the intensity exhibited by both bowlers and batsmen made the practice match more advantageous than standard training sessions.

“It was very productive; I doubt that four more days of practice would have matched the quality of this match. The bowlers bowled with great intensity, and the batters performed well. We ensured that everyone, including the bowlers, had the opportunity to bat and get the necessary workload,” Kotak remarked.

He highlighted individual contributions, particularly praising Gurnoor Singh and Mohammed Siraj for their impressive power-hitting.

“It was fantastic to see Gurnoor and Siraj hitting several sixes,” he noted.

Kotak also acknowledged Devdutt Padikkal's batting prowess and commended the fast bowlers for their strong performances, despite the pitch offering limited support.

“Devdutt batted exceptionally well, and Gurnoor bowled impressively. Our fast bowlers put in significant effort on a wicket that provided little assistance. Overall, it was a very effective practice match, but Devdutt's innings stood out,” he added.

Sri Lanka declared their first innings at 363/8, with half-centuries from Ravindu Rasantha, Nishan Fernando, and Sonal Dinusha. For India, Manav Suthar, Ravindra Jadeja, and Kuldeep Yadav each took two wickets.

In response, India declared at 357/6, led by Devdutt Padikkal's unbeaten 142 runs off 164 balls, with contributions from KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, Manav Suthar, and Gurnoor Brar.

Sri Lanka declared their second innings at 200/6, setting a target of 207 runs for India. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill provided a solid start, while Jadeja, Pant, and Mohammed Siraj helped secure the win in 45 overs, finishing with a six-wicket victory. Siraj notably scored an unbeaten 32 runs off just 15 balls, including four sixes.