India appeared firmly in control in Colombo, but Sri Lanka produced a remarkable final-day fightback to secure a hard-fought draw and finish the two-match ICC World Test Championship series 1-0 in India’s favour.
At the heart of Sri Lanka’s resistance was Sonal Dinusha, who produced an extraordinary display of resilience to score his second century of the match and third century of the series.
With India enforcing the follow-on, Sri Lanka entered the final day under immense pressure. Yet Dinusha and Keshara Nuwantha stood firm, surviving 31.2 overs during the morning session and adding 100 crucial runs before Lunch. Dinusha brought up his half-century, while Nuwantha contributed a valuable 46 to extend Sri Lanka’s lead to 116.
India finally broke the partnership shortly after Lunch when Manav Suthar dismissed Nuwantha, who edged to slip with Dhruv Jurel taking the catch. Ravindra Jadeja then struck again, with Jurel completing another sharp catch to remove Prabath Jayasuriya.
Dinusha, however, refused to surrender. He finished the session unbeaten on 98, with Lahiru Kumara providing determined support at the other end. Sri Lanka added only 54 runs during the session but lost just two wickets, pushing their lead to 170.
Then came the defining moment of the day.
Dinusha took two runs from the first ball of the final session to complete a magnificent century. In doing so, he became the standout performer of Sri Lanka’s resistance, recording twin hundreds in Colombo and his third century of the series.
Sri Lanka continued to frustrate India as Kumara survived 90 balls before Jadeja finally claimed his third wicket. Dinusha remained unbeaten beyond the century mark, while Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Jurel were also called upon to bowl as India searched desperately for a breakthrough.
With victory slipping away, Sri Lanka eventually declared, and the two teams shook hands to confirm the draw.
Dinusha walked off to a deserved standing ovation after one of the finest displays of Test-match resilience. His unbeaten second-innings century, following another hundred in the first innings, proved decisive in saving Sri Lanka after India enforced the follow-on. The contributions of Nuwantha, Kumara and Sri Lanka’s lower order were equally vital in completing the remarkable escape.
The draw means India take the two-match series 1-0 after their 165-run victory in Galle. Sri Lanka, meanwhile, leave Colombo with enormous credit for a determined fightback that denied India victory on the final day.
Sri Lanka retain sixth place in the WTC standings, while India remain fifth with a 51.52 percentage of points.
