Colombo, August 27, 2026: Sri Lanka’s middle-order batter Sonal Dinusha produced a remarkable rearguard effort on Thursday, scoring an unbeaten 133 to help the hosts salvage a draw in the second Test and deny India a series sweep.
Following on, Sri Lanka reached 429 for nine when the players shook hands, with Dinusha completing his second century of the match and third in his last four innings.
India won the two-Test series 1-0, but Sri Lanka’s spirited fightback at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground provided a major boost after a rain-disrupted contest.
“When the team is down, I wanted to get runs for the team,” said Dinusha, who was named player of the match. “Getting runs against India is a pleasure as a player.”
Sri Lanka resumed the final day with just a 16-run lead and four wickets in hand, facing the daunting task of batting through the day to save the Test.
Dinusha and Keshara Nuwantha, who made 46, frustrated India throughout the morning session, putting together a determined 112-run partnership that kept Sri Lanka’s hopes of avoiding defeat alive.
Dinusha had earlier scored his maiden Test century in Sri Lanka’s first-innings total of 290 and followed it with another commanding performance to register his fourth consecutive score of at least 50.
India finally broke the partnership shortly after lunch when spinner Manav Suthar dismissed Nuwantha. The ball bounced and brushed the shoulder of the batter’s bat before carrying to Dhruv Jurel at slip.
Jurel then took another catch to remove Prabath Jayasuriya for two, but Dinusha remained composed as he continued the resistance with Sri Lanka’s lower order.
Lahiru Kumara provided crucial support, facing 90 deliveries for a stubborn 12 as Dinusha continued to frustrate the Indian attack.
With the pitch offering little assistance to the seamers, Dinusha combined solid defence with confident sweeping strokes and remained disciplined throughout his long stay at the crease.
India captain Shubman Gill rotated his bowlers and repeatedly altered his field placements in search of a breakthrough, but Dinusha remained untroubled.
Gill said India had done everything possible to force a result after spending an extended period in the field.
“We fielded for about 250 overs, for three days consecutively, and we did everything we could, but they played really well,” Gill said.
“Their batters showed a lot of skill and they had a little bit of luck going their way.”
He said the match nevertheless offered valuable lessons for India, praising Sri Lanka’s response under pressure.
“A lot of positives for us, including learning from the opposition. They were under a lot of pressure and the way they came back was tremendous to see,” Gill added.
Despite missing out on a series sweep, India secured a 1-0 series victory, while Sri Lanka earned considerable credit for their determined resistance after being placed under significant pressure.
India top-order batter Devdutt Padikkal was named player of the series after scoring centuries in both Galle and Colombo.
