Dinusha leads Sri Lanka to remarkable WTC draw against India
Sonal Dinusha’s second century of the match helped Sri Lanka secure a draw after India enforced the follow-on.
India had looked firmly on course for victory in Colombo, but Sri Lanka produced a remarkable final-day fightback to secure a draw and end the two-match ICC World Test Championship series 1-0, in India’s favour.
Sonal Dinusha was at the heart of their effort, batting through the day for his second century of the match and third of the series.
The result meant Sri Lanka kept hold of the sixth spot in the WTC Standings, while India remain fifth with a 51.52 PCT.
Dinusha and Keshara Nuwantha survived 31.2 overs in the morning session, adding 100 runs to Sri Lanka’s lead before Lunch. Dinusha brought up his half-century while Nuwantha provided excellent support with 46, taking Sri Lanka’s lead to 116.
India finally found a breakthrough early after Lunch when Manav Suthar had Nuwantha edging to slip, with Dhruv Jurel taking the catch. Ravindra Jadeja then struck again, with Jurel holding onto another sharp catch to dismiss Prabath Jayasuriya.
But Dinusha remained unfazed. He ended the session before Tea unbeaten on 98, with Lahiru Kumara providing another determined display at the other end. Sri Lanka had added only 54 runs in the session but lost just two wickets, extending their lead to 170.
Then came the moment of the day. Dinusha took a couple off the first ball of the final session to complete his century, bringing up twin hundreds in Colombo and his third century of the series.
Sri Lanka continued to frustrate India, with Kumara surviving 90 balls before Jadeja claimed his third wicket to end the long vigil. Dinusha carried on beyond 100 as Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Jurel also took to the ball for India.
The hosts eventually declared, with the two teams shaking hands to confirm the draw.
Dinusha walked off to a deserved standing ovation after an extraordinary display of resilience. Having already made a century in the first innings, his unbeaten second-innings hundred helped Sri Lanka save the Test after India had enforced the follow-on. The efforts of Nuwantha, Kumara and the rest of Sri Lanka’s lower-batting order also proved crucial.
India take the series 1-0, having scripted a 165-run victory in Galle, while Sri Lanka leave Colombo with plenty of credit for a remarkable fightback.