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Sonal Dinusha’s Twin Centuries Secure Draw for Sri Lanka Against India in Colombo

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Sonal Dinusha’s Twin Centuries Secure Draw for Sri Lanka Against India in Colombo

India fell short of a 2-0 series sweep as the second Test at Colombo’s Sinhalese Sports Club Ground finished in a dramatic draw. Having posted 503/9 declared in their first innings and bowled Sri Lanka out for 290, the visitors had dominated large stretches of the match before enforcing the follow‑on.

What followed was a spirited fightback from the home side. Sri Lanka’s batters displayed far greater resolve in their second innings, keeping India searching for wickets as the match entered its final day. The resistance was spearheaded by Sonal Dinusha, who backed up his first‑innings century with another unbeaten hundred, while Pasindu Sooriyabandara and Kamindu Mendis made valuable contributions. With the lower order standing firm, Sri Lanka closed on 429/9 to clinch the draw.

India’s Early Dominance Before Sri Lanka Were Forced to Follow On

India capitalised on winning the toss and batting first, amassing a large total thanks to contributions from several top‑order batters. Devdutt Padikkal maintained his fine form with another century, scoring 117, while Shubman Gill added a useful 50. Rishabh Pant provided the acceleration with an attacking 63 before Dhruv Jurel played another memorable innings. The wicketkeeper‑batter finished on 115, playing a major role in taking India past the 500‑run mark. With solid support from the lower order, Gill declared the innings at 503/9.

Sri Lanka faced an uphill task in reply but received vital contributions from Pasindu and Sonal. Pasindu Sooriyabandara made 80, while Sonal Dinusha struck a superb 103 to keep the innings together. India’s bowlers eventually broke through the resistance and dismissed Sri Lanka for 290, with Manav Suthar and Prasidh Krishna each claiming three wickets. This left the hosts 213 runs behind and just 13 runs shy of the follow‑on target, prompting Gill to send Sri Lanka back to bat and place India in a strong position to pursue another win.

Sonal Dinusha and the Lower Order Produce Remarkable Resistance

Sri Lanka’s second innings turned the contest into a far tougher challenge for India. Pasindu Sooriyabandara once again displayed composure at the top of the order, scoring 92, while Kamindu Mendis contributed a fighting 55. Their 115‑run partnership gave the hosts the stability they needed after a shaky start. As wickets fell, Dinusha assumed responsibility. Having already notched 103 in the first innings, he produced another remarkable century in the second innings and remained unbeaten as Sri Lanka continued to resist.

Dinusha’s twin centuries placed him alongside Sri Lankan legends Duleep Mendis and Aravinda de Silva as the only players from the nation to record centuries in both innings of a Test against India. India began the final day requiring four wickets, but Sri Lanka’s tailenders refused to collapse. Despite several bowling changes and interruptions, the hosts defended stubbornly until the close of play. Sri Lanka finished on 429/9, with Dinusha unbeaten, forcing India to settle for a draw. While the result secured a 1‑0 series win for India, Sri Lanka’s remarkable resistance ensured the second Test concluded on a memorable note.



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