Captain Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiwal put on 105 runs for the opening wicket on Day 3 of the warm-up match against Sri Lanka Cricket XI. com in Colombo: The third and final day of India’s warm-up match against Sri Lanka Cricket XI at the Nondescripts Cricket Club Ground (NCC) in Colombo had a special spectator.

Sri Lanka head coach Gary Kirsten was among those watching the proceedings, quietly strolling along the ropes before the small travelling media contingent recognised the familiar face. Immediately, smartphones came out, and the South African obliged before he bumped into Gurnoor Brar, who was taking a hydration break in the deep.

A short chat followed before he walked up to left-arm spinner Manav Suthar, and then it was throwdown specialist Raghu's turn to speak to ' Guru Gary'. Both Brar and Suthar were net bowlers when the former India coach served as the batting coach and mentor for the Gujarat Titans in the Indian Premier League (IPL) from 2022 to 2024.

Between chats, Kirsten kept an eye on the action as India's bowlers continued and occasionally looked at the giant scoreboard. The laps around the ground didn't last long before he went inside the NCC's main pavilion cafe.

Sri Lanka head coach Gary Kirsten at the NCC. (Photo: Sahil Malhotra) On the final day of the warm-up match, the turnout was better than on the first two days.

The Indian team will travel to Galle having ticked most of their boxes before the series opener on August 15. It has been hard work for India since reaching Colombo on August 4.

The visitors had two full-intensity practice sessions before every player got a decent hit during the three-day warm-up starting August 7. There was a concern about Shubman Gill's availability due to an impact injury on the ring finger of his right hand.

After his absence from the first two days, the marathon net session and his 44-run knock on Day 3 helped India brea the easy on the final day, and later four sixes from Mohammed Siraj helped India win the match by six wickets. Gill's trademark drives returned, and the ease with which he operated wiped away doubts, if any, about his availability for the series opener.

The Indian captain struck seven gorgeous boundaries, laced with exquisite shots, during his 54-ball stay in the middle. India captain Shubman Gill bats in the second innings.

The management decided to give an opportunity to players who hadn't scored runs in the first innings, and the likes of Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant and Dhruv Jurel got a decent amount of deliveries under their belt. Coming into bat after Jaiswal retired hurt for 61, Rishabh Pant looked very solid from the start.