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Ravindra Jadeja, Gautam Gambhir share a light moment: India all-rounder mimics Kuldeep Yadav in dressing room during practice match vs SL originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- Ravindra Jadeja and Gautam Gambhir shared a light moment in India's dressing room.
- The all-rounder was seen animatedly imitating a bowling action during the Sri Lanka warm-up.
- Jadeja returned to the India setup for the first time in 2026 in Colombo.
Ravindra Jadeja and Gautam Gambhir enjoy dressing room moment in Colombo
Ravindra Jadeja offered a glimpse of the relaxed side of the India camp during the warm-up game against a Sri Lanka Cricket XI, sharing a light-hearted moment with head coach Gautam Gambhir. Images from the dressing room in Colombo captured the all-rounder in playful spirits.
In the sequence of pictures, a padded-up Jadeja is seen animatedly performing a bowling-style action, arms outstretched, as a smiling Gambhir looks on from his seat. The exchange ended with the pair sharing a laugh, a picture of a settled and cheerful India dressing room.
The moment came during India's three-day warm-up fixture at the Nondescripts Cricket Club Ground, the side's only red-ball hit-out before the two-Test series against Sri Lanka begins in Galle on August 15.
For Jadeja, the game marked a notable return, his first appearance in the India setup in 2026 after being rested for the one-off Test against Afghanistan earlier in the year. The Rajasthan Royals all-rounder featured under stand-in captain KL Rahul, with Shubman Gill sitting out due to an impact injury.
MORE: India vs Sri Lanka Cricket XI practice match: Scores, highlights and key performances ahead of IND vs SL Test series
Jadeja back in the mix ahead of Sri Lanka Tests
Jadeja marked his comeback with contributions on the field as well as the smiles off it. He claimed two wickets on the opening day of the warm-up, dismissing Ramesh Mendis among others as India's spinners fought back after a testing first two sessions.
The veteran all-rounder is a certainty for the first Test in Galle, forming part of a spin-heavy India attack that also features Kuldeep Yadav, Manav Suthar and the uncapped Saransh Jain. His all-round value will be central to India's plans on turning subcontinental surfaces.
The lighter dressing-room scenes also underline the rapport within a squad navigating a difficult phase. India arrive in Sri Lanka under scrutiny after home series defeats to New Zealand and South Africa, making a settled and positive environment all the more important.
MORE: Sai Sudharsan ruled out of Sri Lanka Test series: Three players who can replace injured Indian batter
Why moments like these matter for a team under pressure
It is easy to dismiss a dressing-room joke as trivial, but glimpses like this carry real value for a side under the microscope.
A relaxed Jadeja sharing a laugh with a coach often criticised for a tense environment paints a picture of a camp more comfortable than recent results might suggest.
The bigger question is whether that ease translates onto the field in Galle. India's cricket, not their chemistry, will ultimately be judged, but a happy dressing room rarely hurts a team trying to rediscover its footing. For Jadeja, back among familiar faces and among the wickets, the signs heading into the series look encouraging.
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