India will take on Sri Lanka XI in a three-day warm-up match at the Nondescripts Cricket Club Ground in Colombo from Friday. However, the weather forecast does not look encouraging.
According to the forecast, rain, including heavy showers, is expected to affect the city from Friday morning until Sunday afternoon. This could reduce the amount of play and affect India’s preparations ahead of the first Test.
India vs Sri Lanka warm-up: Weather report
There is a 90 per cent chance of rain on Friday morning, with around 9.4 mm of rainfall expected. The temperature is likely to be around 30°C, while humidity could touch 78 per cent. Cloud cover is expected to remain at 99 per cent, with visibility reduced to around 5 km.
The weather is not expected to improve much in the afternoon.
The chance of rain remains 70 per cent, with another 4.9 mm of rainfall forecast. The temperature is expected to stay around 29°C, with strong winds and thick cloud cover continuing.
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Important match before Test series
The warm-up match is an important part of India’s preparations for the two-Test series against Sri Lanka, which begins in Galle on August 15.
Indian batters will use the game to prepare for Sri Lanka’s spin attack. Spin troubled India in recent home Test series against New Zealand and South Africa, and the team will be eager to adjust to Sri Lankan conditions.
Captain Shubman Gill, KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal have already practised against spin before travelling to Colombo. However, batting on Sri Lankan pitches in match conditions will provide a better test.
Chance for bowlers to adjust
India’s bowling attack will also look to get used to local conditions. With Jasprit Bumrah unavailable because of injury, Mohammed Siraj will lead the pace attack. He will be supported by Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar, Manav Suthar and Saransh Jain.
Brar and Jain impressed while playing for India A against Sri Lanka A in Galle last month and will be hoping for more valuable time in the middle.
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Gambhir wants team to be ready
Head coach Gautam Gambhir urged the players to make full use of the preparation time.
“We know what is in front of us. We can do volume, we can push our limits, we can tick all the boxes and come 15th morning whether we are batting first or bowling first we will be absolutely ready with every answer to every question thrown at us.
“So make sure to tick all the boxes from now on.”
The biggest challenge for India, however, could be the weather. If the forecast proves accurate, rain may deny the visitors valuable practice before the opening Test.