Sri Lankans' poor run continues

Indian Board President's XI 217-2 (R Uthappa 76, S Dhawan 65, S Sriram 44*) v Sri Lankans
Scorecard

The Sri Lankan bowlers struggled in a tour game at Bangalore on Sunday ahead of the three-Test series against India set to begin on December 2 at Chennai. The visiting side's decision to field on the second day, after the opening day was washed out, did not get them any gains as the Indian Board President's XI reached 217-2 after a delayed start curtailed play to just 49 overs.

Openers Robin Uthappa (76) and Shikhar Dhawan (65) figured in a 133-run stand to frustrate the Sri Lankans, who were recently drubbed 6-1 by India in a seven-match one-day series. Uthappa, who plays for the southern state of Karnataka in India's domestic league, slammed a robust 96-ball knock with nine fours and two sixes while Delhi left-hander Dhawan slammed eight boundaries in his half-century.

New-ball bowlers Lasith Malinga and Chaminda Vaas, who led the side in the absence of Marvan Atapattu, were easily foiled. The spin attack also lacked venom in the absence of ace spinner Muttiah Muralitharan, who too sat out the three-day match.