Mohammed Siraj turned on the charm with the bat, smashing three consecutive sixes in the final over as India chased down Sri Lanka XI’s target in dramatic fashion, sealing the warm-up win with three balls to spare.
Siraj, fondly referred to by some as “Sir Vivian Siraj,” walked out for the final over with India needing 10 runs to complete the chase. What followed was a remarkable display of clean ball-striking from the India pacer, who cleared the ropes three times in succession to take India over the line.
Nuwantha bowled the first delivery too full and right in Siraj’s hitting arc. The pacer cleared his front leg and smashed the ball high over deep midwicket for a maximum.
There was more to come. On the second ball, Nuwantha again missed his length and bowled too full outside off. Siraj went down the ground and sent the ball over the boundary for another six, leaving India needing only four runs to win.
IND vs SL XI, warm-up Day 3: UPDATES
Siraj then finished the contest in style. The bowler tossed another delivery into his hitting zone, and the Indian pacer swung it away over midwicket for his third consecutive six.
Three balls, three sixes, and India had completed the chase with three deliveries still remaining from their allotted 45 overs.
The finish sparked instant celebrations in the Indian camp, with Siraj enjoying a rare opportunity to entertain with the bat. The pacer was not done trying to add to his tally either.
On the next delivery, Nuwantha went short and Siraj appeared to be asking for a no-ball, keen to continue his late hitting. The moment added to the light-hearted atmosphere as the players prepared to shake hands and bring the practice game to an end.
Siraj’s late cameo came a day after Gurnoor Brar had produced similar fireworks for India, smashing four sixes in the final over of the day’s play.
While Gurnoor had stolen the show on the previous day, Siraj took centre stage this time, producing a hat-trick of sixes when India needed them most.
The India pacer showed no hesitation in attacking the ball, clearing his front leg and targeting the leg-side boundary. His first six over deep midwicket was followed by a straight hit and then another powerful strike over midwicket to complete an entertaining finish.
With both teams completing their allotted 45 overs, Siraj’s three consecutive sixes provided the final twist to the warm-up contest and gave the Indian camp plenty to smile about.
There were positives for India beyond Siraj’s late hitting. Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal’s form with the bat will give the team confidence heading into the series, while Rishabh Pant also showed signs of finding his rhythm.
Siraj’s six-hitting spree, however, provided the most entertaining moment of the contest and ensured India finished their chase in emphatic fashion.
For a bowler better known for his work with the ball, Siraj’s late burst with the bat offered a reminder that even a practice game can produce its share of entertainment. India officially secured victory in the tour game before going on to add bonus runs to complete the quota of overs for the day.
Sri Lanka XI also had positives to take from the match. Nishan Madushka was among the standout performers with the bat, scoring fifties in both innings and giving the hosts something to build on ahead of the series.
India, meanwhile, will take confidence from the contributions across the batting group and the competitive nature of the warm-up fixture. With the series ahead, the practice game provided useful preparation, while Siraj’s remarkable finish added an unexpected flourish to India’s victory.
– Ends
