Colombo, August 27, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Sonal Dinusha produced a remarkable display of patience and resilience, scoring an unbeaten 133 off 264 balls to help Sri Lanka secure a hard-fought draw against India in the second Test at the SSC Ground on Thursday. India nevertheless clinched the two-match series 1-0.
Sri Lanka, forced to follow on after being dismissed for 290 in the first innings, resumed the final day with a 16-run lead. Dinusha anchored a determined lower-order resistance as Sri Lanka reached 429/9 in 154 overs before declaring late in the final session.
The left-hander completed his second century of the match with the first ball after the tea break, clipping a full delivery from Mohammed Siraj towards mid-wicket for two runs. He removed his helmet and raised his bat to acknowledge the applause.
The century was Dinusha’s third of the series, making him only the third Sri Lankan after Aravinda de Silva and Kumar Sangakkara to score three centuries in a two-Test series. He also became the eighth Sri Lankan batter to register twin centuries in a Test.
India’s bowlers struggled to make further inroads on an unresponsive pitch, with the visitors’ attack showing signs of fatigue. Siraj was restricted by a physical niggle, while Ravindra Jadeja also bowled through discomfort.
Sri Lanka’s lower order continued to frustrate India’s victory hopes. Lahiru Kumara spent 90 balls at the crease for his 12 before Jadeja dismissed him, with Yashasvi Jaiswal taking a sharp catch at short leg.
Dinusha then shifted gears, hitting sixes off Jadeja and India captain Shubman Gill before finding consecutive boundaries against Jaiswal’s leg-spin. He added 27 runs with Asitha Fernando for the final wicket, with Fernando remaining unbeaten on 0 after facing 24 deliveries.
India eventually ran out of time and the match ended in a draw, with Dinusha finishing the series with 419 runs at an average of 139.66. He received a standing ovation from the Sri Lankan dressing room, while Indian players also congratulated him for his match-saving effort.
Brief Scores: India 503/9 declared in 138 overs drew with Sri Lanka 290 & 429/9 declared in 154 overs (Sonal Dinusha 133 not out, Pasindu Sooriyabandara 92; Manav Suthar 3/105, Ravindra Jadeja 3/94).
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