Colombo, Aug 06 : Ajinkya Rahane struck a fluent century to revitalise Indians at stumps on the opening day of the three-day warm-up game against Sri Lanka Board President’s XI at Colombo on Thursday.
Put in to bat first, the tourists got off to a promising start as openers KL Rahul (43) and Shikhar Dhawan built a robust 108-run partnership before the dismissal of the former.
Both Rohit Sharma (7) and Virat Kohli (8) then trudged back to the pavilion after falling prey to Kasun Rajitha’s delivery in quick succession. Dhawan was also dismissed by the same bowler for 62.
Subsequently, Rahane found an able ally in Cheteshwar Pujara (42) as the duo steadied the ship and eventually went on to make a spirited 134-run stand for the fifth wicket. Meanwhile, wicketkeeper-batsman Wriddhiman Saha could only make three runs before his dismissal.
Rahane remained unbeaten on 109, with Ravichandran Ashwin (10) on the crease as Indians made 314-6 before the close of play.
India will take on Sri Lanka in the three-match Test series, with the first Test starting from August 12 in Galle. (ANI)