Dinusha's unbeaten 133 seals heroic draw for Sri Lanka vs India in 2nd Test
Synopsis
Forced to follow on and staring at defeat, Sri Lanka found an unlikely saviour in Sonal Dinusha, whose unbeaten 133 — part of a 419-run series haul at 139.66 — denied India a series win in Colombo. In a single series, Dinusha went from prospect to cornerstone, and Sri Lanka's selection headache is now a very good problem to have.
Key Takeaways
Sonal Dinusha hit an unbeaten 133 in the second innings to help Sri Lanka draw the 2nd Test against India at SSC Ground, Colombo on 27 August .
Dinusha was named Player of the Match after Sri Lanka were forced to follow on.
He finished the series with 419 runs at an average of 139.66 , including three centuries .
Captain Dhananjaya de Silva credited selectors and coaching staff for backing young talent.
De Silva admitted his early dismissal in the first innings allowed India to regain control of the match.
Sonal Dinusha's unbeaten 133 in the second innings — a knock that rescued Sri Lanka after they were forced to follow on — helped the hosts secure a hard-fought draw in the second and final Test against India at the SSC Ground, Colombo, on Thursday, 27 August. Dinusha was named Player of the Match for his match-saving effort, capping a remarkable series for the young batter.
A Series to Remember for Dinusha
Dinusha finished the two-match series with 419 runs at an average of 139.66, including three centuries — a haul that announced him as one of Sri Lanka's most exciting batting discoveries in recent years. His ability to read turning pitches and adapt under pressure proved decisive in denying India a series sweep.
'I am really happy about that — getting three hundreds. When the team is down, I wanted to get runs for the team, so I am happy I was able to do that. Getting runs against India is a pleasure as a player,' Dinusha said after receiving his award to loud applause from the Colombo crowd.
Preparation and Lower-Order Grit
Dinusha credited his intensive preparation on turning tracks for his composure at the crease. 'It's really about the preparation at Galle, and here, I had an idea about the turning pitches, so I practised for that,' he said, also acknowledging the support of his coaching staff, school coach, provincial coach, and family.
He was equally generous in praising Sri Lanka's tailenders, who dug in alongside him to deny India a breakthrough. 'I would like to mention that the tailenders batted really well. It helped me get runs as well. I tried to do my best, reading the situation,' he added.
De Silva on Backing Young Talent
Sri Lanka captain Dhananjaya de Silva lauded the selectors and team management for the boldness to blood young players. 'It's all about finding the talent. I think the selectors and coach gave me that opportunity to get the youngsters in and let them really go there and do the job for the country,' de Silva said. He noted that the form of the new entrants had created a welcome selection dilemma: 'It's a good headache to have; three guys who were playing and have to come back will find it tough to get in.'
De Silva's Self-Critique
The Sri Lanka skipper was candid about his own first-innings dismissal, which he felt handed India momentum at a critical juncture. 'Maybe in the second innings I should have batted longer. That's the point where they got back in the match,' de Silva reflected. His admission underscores how fine the margins were in a Test that swung dramatically before Dinusha steadied the ship.
What This Draw Means
The drawn series result keeps Sri Lanka's home Test record competitive and signals a generational shift in their batting ranks. Notably, this is the series where Dinusha emerged not merely as a stopgap but as a cornerstone of Sri Lanka's middle order. India, who had dominated large portions of both Tests, will leave Colombo without a series win — a result that underlines Sri Lanka's resilience on home soil. The series outcome will factor into both sides' preparations ahead of upcoming international commitments.
Point of View
Often criticised for conservative choices, deserve credit for trusting a young batter on a turning track against one of the world's best bowling attacks. The real story here, though, is structural: Sri Lanka saved a Test they had no business saving, which suggests their lower-middle order has more steel than recent results implied. India, meanwhile, will need to examine why a side they forced to follow on managed to bat them out of the game.
NationPress
27 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Sri Lanka draw the 2nd Test against India in Colombo?
Sri Lanka drew the 2nd Test at SSC Ground, Colombo, on 27 August largely due to Sonal Dinusha's unbeaten 133 in the second innings, which denied India a wicket after the hosts were forced to follow on. Gritty contributions from the tailenders alongside Dinusha were also crucial in saving the match.
What were Sonal Dinusha's series statistics against India?
Dinusha finished the two-match series with 419 runs at an average of 139.66, including three centuries. His Player of the Match award in the 2nd Test capped a breakthrough series that established him as a key figure in Sri Lanka's batting lineup.
Why was Sonal Dinusha named Player of the Match?
Dinusha was awarded Player of the Match for his unbeaten 133 in Sri Lanka's second innings, which came after the hosts were forced to follow on. His knock, combined with lower-order resistance, prevented India from completing a series win.
What did Dhananjaya de Silva say about Sri Lanka's young players?
De Silva praised the selectors and coaching staff for backing young talent, saying it created a 'good headache' as the in-form new players made it difficult for established names to return to the side. He acknowledged the role of the team management in giving youngsters the opportunity to deliver for the country.
Did Dhananjaya de Silva admit any mistakes in the 2nd Test?
Yes, de Silva reflected candidly on his first-innings dismissal, saying he should have batted longer in the second innings and that his early exit was the point where India got back into the match. His self-critique highlighted how crucial individual contributions were in a tightly contested Test.
