Mohammed Siraj turned into an unlikely batting hero as he smashed a hat-trick of sixes in the final over to steer India to a thrilling six-wicket win over Sri Lanka Cricket XI in the three-day warm-up match in Colombo on Sunday. Siraj remained unbeaten on 32 off just 15 balls with four sixes and one four, winning the game with a massive maximum off the last over.
Siraj Enters After Manav Suthar Retires Hurt
India needed 207 to win and were cruising at 196 for four when Manav Suthar retired hurt in the 43rd over. Head coach Gautam Gambhir sent Mohammed Siraj as the nightwatchman with instructions to go for his shots. Siraj responded in stunning fashion, hitting a six off the fifth ball of the 44th over.
Hat-Trick of Sixes in the Final Over
The real fireworks came in the 45th over bowled by Keshera Nuvanatha. Siraj smashed three consecutive sixes off the first three balls, completing a rare six-hat-trick. The third six sealed the victory for India. Siraj then hit a four off the fifth ball but remained unbeaten as India reached 214 for four in 45 overs.
Jaiswal and Gill Set Up the Chase
Openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill gave India a solid start with a 105-run partnership. Jaiswal scored a brisk 61 off 46 balls with nine fours and two sixes. Gill made 44 off 54 balls with seven fours before falling in the 21st over. Rishabh Pant contributed 28, Dhruv Jurel made 17 and Ravindra Jadeja added 22 runs.
Match Summary Across Three Days
Sri Lanka Cricket XI had declared their first innings at 363 for eight. India replied with 357 for six declared, powered by Devdutt Padikkal’s century. In their second innings, Sri Lanka declared at 200 for six with Nishan Madushka top-scoring with 63. Nuvanatha took two wickets for Sri Lanka while Vishwa Fernando and Ramesh Mendis got one each.
