Rain threat looms over India’s three-day practice game in Colombo

Heavy rain accompanied the journey from Kandy to Colombo on Monday, with persistent showers continuing across the Sri Lankan capital. The weather forecast says intermittent rain in and around Colombo during India’s three-day practice match, scheduled from August 7 to 9.

The Indian team, led by Shubman Gill, is set to arrive in Colombo on Tuesday, August 4, and is expected to spend a couple of days training at the Nondescripts Cricket Club (NCC) before taking on a Sri Lankan side in a warm-up fixture.

Preparations at the NCC are in full swing. Three practice wickets have been readied for the visitors, along with three match pitches. The venue is also equipped with four indoor nets at the Gamini Dissanayake Indoor Coaching Centre, ensuring that training can continue even if rain disrupts outdoor sessions.

Interestingly, the Indian team has never played at the NCC. However, the ground has regularly hosted practice matches involving touring sides such as Australia and New Zealand over the years. Located adjacent to the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC), the picturesque venue has long served as Sri Lanka’s preferred warm-up facility for visiting international teams.

Although the NCC is not an international match venue, it boasts a rich cricketing heritage. Several Sri Lankan greats, including Aravinda de Silva, Kumar Sangakkara and Ravi Ratnayeke, have represented the club. The honours board inside the pavilion stands as a testament to the club’s proud tradition of producing some of the country’s finest cricketers.

Following the three-day practice game, India will travel to Galle for the opening Test, scheduled from August 15 to 19. The second and final Test will be played at the SSC in Colombo from August 23 to 27. The two-match series is part of the ongoing World Test Championship (WTC) cycle.

The post Rain threat looms over India’s three-day practice game in Colombo appeared first on Sports News Portal | Revsportz.