Sonal Dinusha’s magnificent unbeaten 133 orchestrated a stunning comeback for Sri Lanka also securing a dramatic draw against India on the final day of the second Test in Colombo. Despite the draw team India claimed the two-match series 1-0 following their victory in the first Test.
Forced to follow on after India posted a massive first-innings total of 503-9 declared, Sri Lanka found themselves in deep trouble at 218-6. However Dinusha anchored a gritty fightback. Resuming on day five at 229-6 he forged a match-saving 112-run seventh-wicket partnership with Keshara Nuwantha (46). Sri Lanka eventually declared at 429-9 in the final session with setting a 216-run lead before the captains agreed to a draw.
Playing only his fifth Test, the 25-year-old Dinusha became just the eighth Sri Lankan to score centuries in both innings of a match following his brilliant 103 in the first innings. Named Player of the Match, he amassed 420 runs across the series. Sri Lanka coach Gary Kirsten hailed his resilience and calling it "one of the greatest match-saving knocks in Sri Lankan cricket history."
Indian captain Shubman Gill praised the hosts' fierce fightback and remarking that "Test cricket won today." Meanwhile the Indian batsman Devdutt Padikkal earned the Player of the Series award for scoring 328 runs including centuries in both matches.
The hard-fought draw provides Sri Lanka with valuable points, leaving them sixth in the World Test Championship (WTC) standings while India remains in fifth place.
