The Anil Kumble-led Indian cricket team left on Tuesday for its three-match Test series against Sri Lanka starting July 23. The Indians will start their campaign with a three-day practice match against Sri Lanka Board XI from Friday. They play their first Test in Colombo from July 23. The Test series would be followed by a five-match ODI series. One-day and Twenty20 team captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni has opted out of this series, citing fatigue caused by non-stop cricket. 
India bowlers shine in practice match
Test hopeful Thilina Kandamby top-scored with 84 to help the Sri Lanka Board XI make 224 against a visiting India on the opening day of their three-day tour match on FridayThe Sri Lankans were tottering at 82-4 before Kandamby and Chamara Silva rescued them with a 100-run fifth-wicket partnership. India captain Anil Kumble took 3-30 while his off-spin partner Harbhajan Singh took 2-52 to fold up the hosts' Lankan innings in 71.5 overs at the Nondescripts Cricket Club. Kandamby, who is yet to make his Test debut, hit 11 fours during his 138-ball knock while Silva made 68 after captain Jehan Mubarak won the toss and elected to bat. Kandamby's fine innings came to an end when he edged behind to wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik off paceman Munaf Patel while Silva was sent packing by Harbhajan. In reply, the Indians were four for one wicket at stumps after losing in-form opener Gautam Gambhir early in what is the only warm-up game ahead of the three-Test series beginning here on July 23. India have not won a Test series in Sri Lanka for 15 years.
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