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Team India is playing a practice match to test its preparations before the start of the Test series against Sri Lanka. The Indian bowlers struggled on the first day of the match against Sri Lanka Cricket XI at the NCC Ground in Colombo. The Sri Lankan team, composed of domestic players, scored 363 runs for the loss of 8 wickets in 90 overs. India used 7 bowlers during this period, but the bowler who did not bowl a single over is being talked about the most. Fast bowler Aaqib Nabi, who was part of the Indian team’s squad, was present on the field throughout the day but was not given a chance to bowl. He was mostly seen serving water to the players. This decision was surprising because Aaqib Nabi was included in the team after Jasprit Bumrah’s injury and there are high expectations from him on this tour.

7 bowlers got a chance

On the first day of the Test match, India used bowlers like Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, and Gurnur Brar, as well as Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Manav Suthar, and Washington Sundar. This means the team tried almost all bowling options, but did not give the ball to Aaqib Nabi. The Indian fast bowlers also failed to deliver. Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, and Gurnur Brar combined to bowl 33 overs, conceding 125 runs, and took just one wicket. On the other hand, the spinners did provide some relief. Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, and Manav Suthar took two wickets each.

Question on not getting a chance to the Prophet

The biggest reason for Aaqib Nabi not getting a chance to bowl could be the Indian team management’s strategy. In practice matches, the team often manages the workload of its key bowlers and tests different players in different conditions. However, no official reason has been provided by the team for not giving Nabi the ball. Another key factor in Nabi’s favor is that he recently played in Sri Lanka, thus having firsthand experience of the conditions and pitches there. This is why Nabi’s lack of a chance, while other bowlers struggled to contain the Sri Lankan batsmen, became a topic of discussion.

Sri Lankan batsmen scored heavily

The Sri Lanka Cricket XI batsmen batted brilliantly against the Indian bowlers. The openers added 110 runs for the first wicket. This partnership was broken not by the Indian bowlers, but by a run-out. Even after this, the Sri Lankan batsmen maintained the pressure on the Indian bowlers. Nishan Fernando scored 66, Ravindu Rasantha 71, and captain Sonal Dinusha 52. Despite losing 6 wickets for 284, the Sri Lankan team added 63 runs for the 7th wicket. By the end of the first day’s play, Sri Lanka Cricket XI had scored 363 runs for 8 wickets. Now, on the second day, all eyes will be on whether the Indian team gives Aaqib Nabi a chance to bowl or restrict him to fielding.